Serbia-Switzerland, tense nerves: rude gesture from Xhaka, thrusts from Milenkovic

Seven yellow cards in Serbia, four in Switzerland and a final with assorted tensions. A bit like the whole race had been. However, the climax was reached in the 21st minute of the second half when Xhaka, captain of the Swiss, made a gesture to the opposing bench that was anything but elegant (he touched his lower parts). For a few seconds on the pitch referee Rapallini lost control, with several Serbs trying to get justice. Reserve goalkeeper Rajkovic paid the price, being booked. Previously, on the development of a tackle in the area, Milenkovic was angry with Xhaka, who had pushed him.

Tense stories, exactly like in Russia 2018 when Shaqiri had scored the 2-1 for Switzerland against Serbia in the 90th minute, celebrating with the gesture of the eagle, symbol on the Albanian flag. Granit Xhaka, another Swiss international born to a Kosovar family, did the same after the 1-1 draw. And if in Qatar Shaqiri “limited” himself to silencing the Serbian fans who booed him loudly, the Switzerland captain went further, with a “gesture” to the opposing bench.

IS FIFA MOVING?

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It now remains to be seen whether Fifa will take action against that gesture by the Arsenal midfielder: in world view it was certainly not a good spot and it cannot be ruled out that Fifa will move. In the case Xhaka could also risk a disqualification and therefore to miss the round of 16 against Ronaldo’s Portugal.