Granit Xhaka's double-headed eagle gesture sparks controversy again before World Cup

Swiss national team players Granit Xhaka and Ricardo Rodriguez have once again ignited controversy with their use of the double-headed eagle gesture, a symbol strongly associated with Albania. The incident occurred in the United States during a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets. A video captured the players making the gesture, with their crossed palms forming the shape of the eagle, which was shown on the stadium's large screen.

This gesture has a history of causing controversy in football. Most notably, Xhaka and his teammate Xherdan Shaqiri were penalized by FIFA with a warning and a 10,000 Swiss franc fine for similar displays after scoring goals against Serbia during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The double-headed eagle is featured on the Albanian flag, and while some fans interpret it as an expression of Albanian identity, it carries provocative connotations for Serbian fans, particularly given the ongoing political tensions related to Kosovo.

Xhaka, the long-time captain of the Swiss team, shares Albanian-Kosovar roots, as does Shaqiri, who was also at the center of the 2018 controversy. This latest display comes as Switzerland prepares for the upcoming World Cup. One of the matches generating particular interest from fans in the region will be Switzerland's game against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 18 in Los Angeles.