Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka Slams For Double-eagle Celebration

Ex-Liverpool Football Club defender Henchoz slams Xhaka for his double-eagle celebration, saying those players, who don't have immigrant roots might feel frustrated on the pitch.



Stephane says not singing the national anthem is another sign that a player is not fully committed to the country he represents.

He insists footballers with such a background should be given instructions ahead of games not to make any kind of gestures hinting at politics or any other things that are not related to football. This story started during the World Cup in Russia, when Granit Xhaka and his Swiss teammate Xherdan Shaqiri celebrated the goals in a 2-1 win vs Serbia in a specific way by showing a double-eagle sign with their hands.



That is a symbol that can be seen on the flag of Albania, that had a conflict with Serbia back in 1990th. By doing so, both Xhaka and Shaqiri (who have Albanian roots) meant to express support to Kosovan Serbs.

However, any kind of political gestures are prohibited by the FIFA rules and players could face subsequent legal actions. The Gunner was lucky just to pay a £7,600 fine and avoid a ban. “I think the captain has to represent the Swiss team and Switzerland, Xhaka does not do that,” former Liverpool defender Henchoz argued to Blick.

“This would be a real problem. Players like [Yann] Sommer, [Stephan] Lichtsteiner or [Fabian] Schar, who represent traditional Switzerland, could feel excluded, just like fans who might not be able to identify with the team.

"The Swiss players without a migration background and Swiss fans, they would feel marginalised." The ex-Liverpool defender went on to explain that singing a national anthem is part and parcel of player's commitment to the country. Failing to do so Xhaka only shows his disrespect to Switzerland:

“Some players say how great their desire is to play for Switzerland. I’d ask them: ‘What is this pleasure? So they can show themselves on a big stage? Because after the World Cup maybe they can get a better contract at their clubs or get a transfer? You don’t have to scream the anthem like the South Americans or Italians, but with those teams I see that they really feel like playing for their country.

Stephane added that players with foreign roots should be told about the inadmissibility of such a celebration:

“I would have gathered the players the day before the match and told them: ‘Something special’s heading your way.,’” he said. “It was especially important to those who spent their childhood in the former Yugoslavia. I would have told them clearly not to be carried away by rash reactions.

“You have to train these young players to not only be footballers, but also to represent Switzerland, even if they have other roots. The double-headed eagle has no business in this game! The double-headed eagle has no business with the national team.