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Switzerland trio escape bans for 'eagle gesture' goal celebrations

Swiss trio avoid bans for 'eagle gestures'
© Reuters
Switzerland's Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner avoid bans over the "unsporting" gestures they made during the win over Serbia.

Switzerland internationals Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner will not be suspended for performing "double eagle gesture" celebrations during their side's 2-1 win over Serbia at the World Cup finals.

The trio were fined by FIFA for their goal celebrations, which were dubbed "unsporting" because the gesture symbolises the national flag of Serbia's bitter rivals Albania but, according to BBC Sport, will not be banned.

Xhaka and Shaqiri are ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and their celebratory gestures were said to have evoked the hostilities between the two nations.

Serbia Football Association president Slavisa Kokeza and Serbia head coach Mladen Krstajic were both fined for comments they made to the press in the wake of the heated encounter, with the former accusing FIFA of bias towards the nation.

The Serbian FA was also fined for the conduct of its travelling supporters during the match, which included bottles being thrown and discriminatory banners being displayed.

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Xherdan Shaqiri in action for Switzerland on June 8, 2018
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