Granit Xhaka's dad has launched a furious response to a journalist who criticised his son for making a "disgraceful" gesture during Switzerland's win over Serbia.
The World Cup Group G clash last Friday had a fiery atmosphere, with flashpoints throughout the game. Switzerland would go on to win 3-2, booking their place in the knockout stages, while Serbia were sent crashing out.
Xhaka was at the heart of the bust-ups, being grabbed round the throat by Serbia goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic in stoppage time. He then sparked more anger celebrating the win in a shirt which had the name 'Jashari' on the back.
Adam Jashari founded the Kosovo Liberation Army, with that country declaring independence from Serbia, a move the latter rejects. But it was a gesture Xhaka made towards the Serbian bench which has led to journalist Zana Avdiu slamming him.
Xhaka grabbed his manhood as he turned towards the Serbian bench, sparking a mass pitch invasion and brawl. He also appeared to aim a comment at Serbian back-up 'keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
Rajkovic's wife was rumoured to be having an affair with his national team-mate Dusan Vlahovic, a suggestion which Juventus striker has denied. The incident left Avdiu fuming, with the journalist writing on Facebook : "Granit Xhaka's act is a disgrace. An act of a street boy."
She later added on television channel T7: "What does it say about our society when we celebrate such a gesture? I'll explain it to you: Granit Xhaka's gesture symbolises a sexual assault."
Matters got even more heated later in the show when Xhaka's dad Ragip phoned into the programme. He proceeded to only address Avidu in the third person as he hit back at the journalist.
"If she calls Granit Xhaka a street urchin, that's a great shame! The woman who sits on this show and has no idea about sports, emotions, or Albanians," Xhaka senior said.
“These people insult his mother, his wife and children, make a number of gestures, chant 'Kill the Albanians!', 'Kosovo is Serbia!' and she calls Granit one [of the] street boys. The Xhaka family has never surrendered and does not surrender.
"Granit's gesture was neither political nor sexist. Granit is Granit. He didn't make this gesture to offend anyone. I warn you again: you should be careful what you write about the Xhaka family."
Avdiu replied: "What else happens?"
The elder Xhaka then fired back: "I'll tell you later what happens. You will have to answer for yourself in every respect. But when the time comes, it will already be too late, I guarantee you that with my life.
"Because you don't know the Xhaka family. He is jeopardising his career and telling the world who raped our Albanian mothers, sisters and children - over 20,000 victims." That last comment highlights Xhaka's work campaigning for and supporting Albanian women who were raped during the Kosovo War.
Switzerland would go on to lose their last-16 clash against Portugal, so Xhaka will rejoin his Arsenal teammates.
