Arsenal new boy Stephan Lichtsteiner is the third Swiss player to face a suspension for their controversial celebration during the World Cup.
Fellow Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka, along with Stoke winger Xherdan Shaqiri, were already facing a two match ban for their gestures against Serbia, plus a minimum £3,800 fine.
The charge comes after the trio all crossed their wrists together and linked thumbs to create the image of an eagle- which is the symbol of Albania – after a goal during their side’s 2-1 victory.
Shaqiri and Xhaka have Albanian or Kosovan roots, while Lichtsteiner doesn’t but appears to have joined the cause, as originally reported by Football.London.
A FIFA statement said: “The FIFA Disciplinary Committe has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Swiss player Stephan Lichtsteiner for a goal celebration during the match Switzerland vs Serbia.
“In relation to the same match, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the President of the Serbian FA Slavisa Kokeza as well as the national coach Mladen Krstajic for statements made in the aftermath of the said match.”
It seems the Swiss players could have fallen foul of ‘Provoking the public’ and the suggested punishment is ‘Anyone who provokes the general public during a match will be suspended for two matches and sanctioned with a minimum fine of CHF 5,000.’
The bans would not affect the availability of either player at club level.
Full-back Lichtsteiner defended the celebration of his compatriots after the match.
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
He said: “”We had a lot of pressure, it was not an easy game for us.
“We have a lot of Albanians, so there is a lot of history between Serbia and Albania. It was a very tough game for them mentally.
“It was good. Why not? This is the history for them. The war between them was so difficult. I spoke to the father of one of our players who is Albanian, and he told me about this history. This is more than football. This is more than football because they have this period, this war that gave them both big problems.
“I understand them. I think it’s normal, it’s part of their life. There was also big provocation ahead of the game from them [Serbia], so I think it’s normal.”