Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has been warned that he would unwise to take to the streets of Serbia when he travels there with Switzerland on Saturday.
That’s according to Predrag Mihailovic, editor-in-chief of Sportal.rs in Belgrade, who has spoken to Blick ahead of the meeting between Switzerland and Belarus in UEFA Euro qualifying, which is set to take place in Novi Sad in Serbia.
Xhaka has been a regular for his country since making his debut in June 2011, racking up 111 caps for his country so far.
He’s set to add to that during this international break, having again been called up to the squad as he continues to impress with Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Like his time with the Gunners, the midfielder has often proved to be something of a controversial figure during his time with the national side, often wading into or causing political debates.
That was certainly the case during the World Cup, when a 3-2 win over Serbia saw him celebrating the win by grabbing his crotch and putting on Ardon Jashari’s shirt.
That was seen as him referencing Kosovar freedom fighter Adem Jashari, who, before his death in 1998, was considered a commander and a symbol of resistance in the struggle for independence.
That naturally didn’t go down very well in some quarters, and Mihailovic admits the Arsenal man would do well ‘not to take to the streets’ this weekend when Switzerland take on Belarus in Serbia.
“People still see Xhaka and Shaqiri as the ones who provoke the Serbian players,” he explained.
“Xhaka and Shaqiri are not only football players but are also seen as political figures as they have already expressed their political beliefs.”
“The football story between Serbia and Switzerland has been very eventful in recent years. The political situation is now such that Serbia is in talks with the EU about the status of Kosovo.
“It is a very painful issue for the Serbian people. He will certainly not be welcomed here. The Serbian police will be ready.”
