Shkodran Mustafi Escapes Punishment For ‘Political’ Celebration Against Cardiff

By The Editor
on 3rd September 2018

Shkodran Mustafi mimicked Granit Xhaka’s ‘pro-Albania’ World Cup celebration…

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Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi will not face any punishment from the FA for his celebration after heading us into the lead against Cardiff City, Sky Sports News reports.

Mustafi mimicked Granit Xhaka’s celebration for Switzerland at the World Cup against Serbia, where he did the ‘eagles’ sign with his hands indicating support for Albania – his country of origin.

Xhaka and his compatriot Xherdan Shaqiri were subsequently fined for their celebrations in that 2-1 against Serbia in Russia, a move which FIFA deemed to be ‘provoking the general public’.

Mustafi, who’s also of Albanian heritage, showcased the double-headed eagle sign at the Cardiff City stadium and many wondered if he’d entered hot water.

However, the FA believe the German international wasn’t in breach of any rules and have decided against opening a disciplinary hearing.

Mustafi, after two dodgy seasons at the club, has started relatively well this term which has come as a bit of a surprise given that many thought he’d be the main casualty of the Unai Emery era.

With finances restricted for a transfer budget, we were lead to believe that Emery would have to sell some players to raise funds – and Mustafi was always top of that list.

But the former Valencia man remains at the club and is one of Emery’s first names on the team sheet.