Switzerland star Granit Xhaka risks FIFA punishment after shirt controversy

beat

3-2 on Friday to advance to the next round alongside Brazil. They will face Portugal in the last 16.

After the match,

wore a 'Jashari' shirt and later claimed it was for Switzerland squad member Ardon Jashari.

Some think he was paying tribute to Kosovo's national hero Adem Jashari who fell heroically fighting Serbia's genocidal regime.

Xhaka told reporters:

"There’s no political background to it whatsoever.

"Ardon is part of our squad and we spend a lot of time together. I told him if we won I would wear his shirt.”

In his post-match press conference, Switzerland manager Murat Yakin was asked about the potential punishment for Xhaka.

"We will enjoy this moment, it cost us a lot of emotions and energy. It was a fair match,"

he said.

"Before the game a lot of people were talking about the situation but we were able to face that challenge.

"We are happy we are moving on. Everything else is speculation and we will wait and see."

Xhaka also made a crude gesture toward the Serbia bench which prompted an angry reaction from substitute goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.

Yakin added:

"What I saw was a Granit Xhaka who was focused fully on football and performed very well. I saw the players from Serbia crossing the line, and others trying to calm them down. It was a normal exchange.”

Yakin also was asked about Xherdan Shaqiri's furious reaction when he was substituted. Shaqiri scored the first goal of the match.

"No-one likes to be subbed," 

Yakin said.

"Every player wants to play the whole game, but it’s part of my responsibility to protect players. He scored his goal and had a great assist.

"The substitutes brought great energy and I thought they did well.”

After the match, Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic said his team struggled with injuries during the World Cup and also insisted that he has no intention to resign.

He said:

"We are not happy with the result but, given the problems we faced from our arrival here and the injuries we had to contend with, it was too much for us to cope with.

"The guys put up a fight but at this level that is not enough.

"As for my future, in March we start the qualifiers for the European Championship and we have a great desire to qualify."

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