FIFA World Cup 2018: Shaqiri defends controversial goal celebration vs Serbia

Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates after scoring the winner against Serbia in Kaliningrad on Friday. Pic/Getty Images

Xherdan Shaqiri responded by saying "it's just emotion" when he was questioned about the way he celebrated his late winner in Switzerland's 2-1 victory over Serbia.

Stoke winger Shaqiri and Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, who netted Switzerland's equaliser in the World Cup Group E contest in Kaliningrad, each celebrated their goals by making a gesture with their hands that was an apparent nod to the Albanian flag. Both are among the players in the Switzerland team who have links to Kosovo - Shaqiri wears boots with the Kosovo flag displayed on one heel and the Swiss one on the other.

When asked about the way he had celebrated, Shaqiri said: "I think in football you have always emotions. You can see what I did and I think it's just emotion. I'm very happy to score this goal. It's not more. I think we don't have to speak about this now." When Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic was questioned about the gestures, he said: "I can only repeat what I already said earlier - you should never mix politics and football.

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