Why Shaqiri may not play in Belgrade against Crvena Zvezda

Following scored the winning goal in the 90th minute against Serbia for Switzerland in the World Group E this summer, the 26-year-old eagle handmade the symbol of Albania's flag.

Shaqiri was born in Kosovo, a nation that declared independence from Serbia in 2008, even though it was not recognised by Balkan countries and the celebration had political background.

Shaqiri has been born to the country that was recognised as a post-war state between the military forces of the Federation Republic of Yugoslavia, Montenegro and Serbia at the same time, and the Kosovo Liberation Army in the late 1990s.

The gesture of Shaqiri's two proud eagle was an allum towards Serbia that does not recognise his native country as an independent state, and this has prompted various political statements on this matter.

Despite Kosovo being recognised as an independent state by U EFA, Serbia still views Kosovo as part of it, which means tensions remain huge.

Shaqiri has also had sneakers wearing the flag of Switzerland and Kosovo during the World.

“I don't want to talk about this”, Shaqiri said before reporters after the match. You always have emotions in football. You saw what I did, I had emotions. I'm glad I scored this goal. We're not going to talk about this now”.

Even the friend of Shaqiri's Swiss team, Granit Jaka, had celebrated in the same form by making Albania's flag in the match against Serbia after marking a goal from a distance equalising 1-1.

The Arsenal midfielder has been travelling by Kosovo Albanian parents, with his father being a political prisoner in 1986 by the Belgrade communist government.

In fact, Jaka's brother Taulanti plays for the Albanian National.

Switzerland's captain Stephan Lichsteiner has stood up for Shaqiri and Jaka, although coach Vladimir Petkovic has refused to talk about their political intentions, saying such gestures are not good in the football field.

“You should never expel politics and football”, Petkovic said. “It's good to be a fan, it's important to show respect. It was a wonderful atmosphere of positive emotion that only football gives to”.

It's not just my opinion, it's the whole federation and team and the whole world that we share the same thing because we don't need politics here”

I don't think we should talk much here but show what we know in field”.

What is the punishment? What about such political celebrations?

Shaqiri (with Jaka) could face two matches, but FIFA decided to break this rule despite the policy of political messages during the goal celebration.

Serbia's Football Federation had also stressed that they would file complaints to the Shaqiri athletes, in which he had the Kosovo flag, which they named controvers and he would not play with them during the Group E match between Serbia and Switzerland.

FIFA, however, confirms with a statement after the match that they have previously sentenced both Shaqiri and Jaka to 10,000 francs, as well as Lichsteiner at 5,000 francs that stood up for the doubles.

The three Swiss players had been given additional remarks, that they have “the FIFA disciplinary code for non-summer behaviour and the principles of the spot”.

Will Shaqiri travel to Belgrade to play against Crvena Zvezda?

Liverpool has been taken into custody with the Serbian team Crvena Zvezda in the Champions League this season, so Shaqiri is expected to receive a bad welcome if he is presented in the sixth November match.

However, Liverpool needs to be cautious if he decides to take it with the traveling team, since political tensions can cause even more problems in this case.

The sports director of Crvena Zvezda, Zvezdan Terzic, has indicated that his team will carry out their task to protect Shaqiri and Liverpool's team, even though it has highlighted the feeling of the situation.

“I think Shaqiri would be under extraordinary psychological pressure”, Terzic had said of the Serbian daily Kurir.

He knows where he's going. I know very well that our club is Serbia's symbil, as opposed to Partizan, who represented more Yugoslavia”.

I don't know if he'll play Maracana (name of Rajko Mitic Stadium) in these conditions, so he suspected you would come. If he does come, he'll be smaller than a poppy”.

We'll do everything we can to make Shaqiri feel he can play soccer. It is our duty to protect him. Be good host”

Even though Jaka has apologised for the celebration, Shaqiri remains untainted by his celebration.

Of course, I apologize if people in Switzerland have felt attacked”, he said.

I don't know, maybe in the mountains, where someone watched the game and disturbed the celebration, I'd apologize to him, say, "x1..." /Express/