Kaliningrad: Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said that politics and football should ‘never mix’ after Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri celebrated goals in a 2-1 victory over Serbia with political gestures.
Both Shaqiri and Xhaka trace their roots back to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, a fact that stoked tensions before and during Friday’s clash. The two pointedly celebrated scoring by making a ‘double eagle’ gesture with their hands representing the Kosovo flag, viewed as a symbol of defiance. Petkovic however, was unimpressed with his players’ celebrations.
“You should never mix politics and football, it’s good to be a fan and important to show respect,” he told reporters after the game. “It’s clear that emotions surface. I think on and off the pitch we need to steer away from politics in football and we should focus on this as a sport that brings people together.”
We need to steer away from politics in football because it is a sport which binds the world close together. Politics and football should never mix
Vladimir Petkovic
Shaqiri had been booed relentlessly by Serbia fans throughout a high-quality match, but the Stoke City forward had the last laugh. “In football you have always emotions and you can see what I did and it’s just emotion,” he said in reference to his controversial celebration. “I’m very happy to score the goal, that’s all.”
Xhaka, whose 52rd-minute pile-driver set up the Swiss comeback, also made the ‘double eagle’ gesture after his goal. His father, an ethnic Albanian, was imprisoned in Serbia in the 1980s.
In the first half, Switzerland were a little off the track as the Serbians dominated the middle third. However, in the second, the Swiss were definitely superior than their counterparts.
“We lost our bearings a little in the first half but we bounced back,” said Petkovic. “What is important is that we’ve developed this winning mentality. Even when we are down we keep our heads up and try to win every game.”
Switzerland now need only a draw against Costa Rica in their final Group E match, while Serbia need at least a point against Brazil to reach the knockout stages for the first time.
“From day one when we saw the group draw many thought that Brazil was the favourite,” said Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic. “We need a win and we will focus and do whatever we can to try and do that.”