Basel captain tries explanation
Xhaka freaks out like Zidane once did: Eight games ban
05/08/2023, 4:00 p.m
The public apology has been made, but it does not change the harsh punishment. Taulant Xhaka from FC Basel has to watch eight games after a physical attack on his opponent. The strange thing is how he sees red.
For captain Taulant Xhaka of the Swiss first division soccer team FC Basel, the season came to an early end after a Zinedine Zidane-style freak out. He received a seven-game ban after his sensational red card, which he saw in the league game against FC Zurich (0-2) for a headbutt. He will miss another game because of the eighth yellow card, as the association announced.
The older brother of the former Bundesliga professional Granit apologized before the verdict was announced. “You know me as an emotional player,” wrote the 32-year-old Xhaka on Instagram. “And we, the players, are flesh and blood people who react emotionally in certain situations.”
After a foul on Antonio Marchesano, Xhaka grabbed his opponent in the face and saw a yellow-red card for it. A few moments later he let himself be carried away with a headbutt – the scene was often shared on social networks and compared to Zidane’s action in the 2006 World Cup final. Since Xhaka was already on his way to the dressing room, the referee quoted him back again to show him the red card.
Xhaka appeared to think the dismissal would be revoked in its entirety – realizing the situation he first grabbed the referee’s arm before walking off the pitch, shaking his head. Later, Wouter Burger (FCB) and Mirlind Kryeziu (FCZ) were also sent off.
“No verbal insults on the field against me and my family justify such a blunder,” continued the 31-time Albania international. In a turbulent final phase, FCZ took the lead with a penalty. Kasim Adams, on loan to Basel from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, had previously seen the red card due to an elbow blow. Then Zurich increased in the fourth minute of stoppage time before things got turbulent.