World Cup 2018: 4 off the pitch incidents that created political murmurings

#3 Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka's 'political' goal celebrations

Serbia v Switzerland: Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, Xhaka celebrating his equalizer

Even before the first kick of the Switzerland v. Serbia match in Group E, the shadow of Kosovo loomed large over the game. Switzerland team had at least three players from the Kosovar-Albanian heritage playing in the match against Serbia.

Swiss players Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka celebrated their respective injury-time winning goal and the equalizing goal against Serbia in the group stage by folding their hands into the form of the Albanian nationalist symbol the Eagle.

The pair, both of Kosovar-Albanian heritage have a history of bad-blood with Serbia and the former Yugoslav republic. The breaking of the former Yugoslav republic led to the prosecution of many people of Kosovar-Albanian origin and simultaneous casualties for the nationalist Serbs in the years of bloody conflict that followed.

Kosovo asserted independence from Serbia a decade back in 2008 with the help of Albanians but Serbia till date refuses to recognize it.

Xhaka's father was imprisoned in the former Yugoslavia by the nationalist Serbs after protesting for Kosovan independence. Xhaka was born and raised in Switzerland after his father left his homeland following imprisonment and torture, while Shaqiri was less than a year old when his family fled persecution.

Both players still have a deep connection with their native place. Granit Xhaka's elder brother Taulant Xhaka plays for the Albanian national team. The brothers were pitched against each-other in Euro 2016 when Switzerland faced Albania.

Shaqiri holds a Kosovan passport and there were rumours that he was considering to play for Kosovo after it was recognized by UEFA. Shaqiri invited the wrath of the Serbs by wearing boots emblazoned with the flags of both Switzerland and his native land Kosovo.

Serbia v. Switzerland was a game bound to be marred by history and politics and the celebrations turned out to be an act of political defiance. The duo was fined by FIFA for their celebrations being a provocative gesture but escaped a two-match ban.