Fines for Swiss trio over goal celebrations

Swiss trio, Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner have been fined by FIFA and warned over "unsporting behaviour contrary to the principals of fair play," following their celebrations in Switzerland's 2-1 win over Serbia on Friday night.

Both Shaqiri and Xhaka celebrated their goals by making a hand gesture mirroring the eagle on the Albanian flag, which can be considered to be a nationalist symbol linked to Kosovo and Albania and risks creating political tension with the Serbs, who do not recognise Kosovo's independence.

The trip had been charged under Article 54 of FIFA's disciplinary code which states "anyone who provokes the general public during a match will be suspended for two matches and sanctioned with a minimum fine of 5,000 Swiss Francs."

In the end Shaqiri and Xhaka were fined 10,000 Swiss Francs each and Lichtsteiner 5,000 Francs, but escaped a ban.

Meanwhile the Serbian Football Federation were also fined 54,000 Swiss Francs for "discriminatory banners and messages by Serbian supporters as well as for throwing objects."

The President of the Federation was fined a further 5,000 Francs for an interview in which he said referees were "directed" by FIFA to oppose Serbia and Serbia coach Mladen Krstijac fined 5,000 Francs for his post-game comments.