FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Switzerland players Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka, looking into their goal celebrations during Friday's 2-1 win over Serbia at the World Cup.

Both players, who are ethnic Albanians and of Kosovar heritage, celebrated after scoring with a gesture which appeared to imitate the eagle displayed on Albania's flag.

Serbia does not recognise the independence of its former province Kosovo, which broke away 10 years ago and whose 1.8 million people are...

Both Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri celebrated their goals for Switzerland against Serbia on Friday by making a nationalist symbol of Albania in a gesture likely to inflame tensions among Serb nationalists and ethnic Albanians.

Switzerland rallied to beat Serbia 2-1 at the World Cup, but Albania's national flag was at the centre of attention.

Xhaka and Shaqiri, both of ethnic Albanian heritage, put their open hands together with their thumbs locked and fingers outstretched to make...

TIRANA, Albania -- Albanian police have told a group of home fans to stay away from the country's UEFA World Cup qualifier against Italy on Monday.

A statement on Sunday said the Illyria Elite group was banned from the stadium in northern Albania after "problems" at Albania's game in Italy in March. Italy won that game 2-0 which saw flares thrown on the field by a group calling itself Illyrian Elite.

Police also said they were taking extra security steps in the light of concerns over what they called...