Swiss coach Murat Yakin saluted Granit Xhaka as being "a character" after the Arsenal midfielder was caught up in more controversy.
The former Basel defender gave the Gunners enforcer a resounding thumbs-up after his gesture following the final group game with Switzerland prompted FIFA into launching a probe. Xhaka scored a goal in the 3-2 victory over Serbia and then celebrated by holding up a shirt bearing the name ‘Jashari’, in reference to the founder of the Kosovan Liberation Army.
The Arsenal man was forced to flee with his family from what is now the independent state during the Balkan Wars of the late 1990s. Emotions are still running deep.
Yakin said: “We’re very happy to have Granit. He’s a good leader, takes good decisions. He is a character but we like to see people like that on the pitch.
“The players appreciate he is able to take responsibility and it’s good for us to be able to call upon people like that. And yes, people have written about and discussed what went on.
“Yes, we won. Yes, it was emotional. And emotions might be necessary after a game like that. It would have been strange for him to have been emotionless.”
Switzerland face Portugal in the last 16 on Tuesday and striker Breel Embolo claims they into the game as underdogs but are ready to cause an upset. He said: “We know we can make a difference in this game - otherwise we would have left the competition by now.
“It’s going to be important that I keep moving. They have two world-class defenders - Pepe is like a fine old wine - a legend - and they have a great number six, too. But it’s important to use those 100 minutes to do what we need to do. In terms of our tactics, we’re ready.”
