Granit Xhaka’s father, Xhaka Sr, has blasted a Serbian journalist after the latter slammed his son for grabbing his croaks in front of the Serbian bench.
Switzerland, which Portugal later knocked out, ensured their place in the World Cup round of 16 after beating Serbia 3-2 in a dramatic final day of group stage fixtures.
Shaqiri gave his side the lead before Serbia’s Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Dusan Vlahovic scored a goal each to flip the game on its head.
Breel Embolo quickly restored parity before Remo Freuler scored the match-winner at the start of the second half.
It was a match thick with actions, with Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka at the center of the controversies and tense moments in the game.
Xhaka and his national team-mate Xherdan Shaqiri, who have a history of oppressing the Serbian team, were both caught making gestures during the game.
Granit Xhaka made a gesture attempting to goad the Serbian team, with replays showing the midfielder making that offensive gesture toward the bench.
The Arsenal midfielder sparked an angry reaction from the Serbian dugout after exchanging words from afar before eventually grabbing his crotch in the direction of the bench.
5 against 1 and still couldn't take our man down. GRANIT XHAKA. Remember the fucking name. pic.twitter.com/euB3VPRU7k
— Chirag (@Chirag_AFC) December 4, 2022
Reflecting on the incident in his post-match interview, Xhaka insists that it was a moment of ’emotion’ and that he simply wanted ‘to focus on football.’
He said: ‘You can hear from my voice that I am hoarse. It is a game with a lot of emotion. That’s football. It was fair enough. We wanted to focus on football.’
His manager Murat Yakin agreed with the comments and claimed it was ‘a normal exchange’.
Serbia manager Dragan Stojkovic refused to suggest that his players were provoked by a comment or action made by a Switzerland player.
According to him, he does not know what’s happening exactly or why the tensions came. However, he said it is nothing special, and it’s expected these kinds of gestures come sometimes.
While the two coaches dismissed the act as an inconsequential misdemeanor, which is normal in football, it appears the gesture did not sit well with some Serbians.
A renowned Serbian activist and journalist, Zana Avdiu, had raged on the incident describing Xhaka’s act as “disgraceful.”
“Granit Xhaka’s act is a disgrace. An act of a street boy,” she said
Avdiu added, “What does it say about our society when we celebrate such a gesture. Granit Xhaka’s gesture symbolizes a sexual assault.”
Shake Sr hits back at Avdiu
Shaka’s father, Xhaka Sr responded furiously to Avdiu, saying it is a great shame that Avdiu referred to his son as a “street urchin.”
Addressing Avdiu in the third person only, Xhaka Sr said: “If she calls Granit Xhaka a street urchin, that’s a great shame!
Xhaka’s father added that Avdiu has little or no knowledge of football emotions, as his son did not intend to upset anyone with the gesture.
“The woman who sits on this show and has no idea about sports, emotions, and my son did not insult anyone with the gesture,” he said.
Apart from the controversial scenario by Granit Xhaka, the Arsenal captain has always been in the news for his temper and aggressive tackles. In the Premier League, Granit Xhaka is always at the center of tense moments during matches.
