Basel player Taulant Xhaka banned 1 game for misconduct at title celebrations

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:46 AM CDT Friday, May. 16, 2025

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Title-winning Basel midfielder Taulant Xhaka was banned for one game Friday for misconduct during club celebrations on a balcony in a public square.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Title-winning Basel midfielder Taulant Xhaka was banned for one game Friday for misconduct during club celebrations on a balcony in a public square.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/05/2025 (502 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Title-winning Basel midfielder Taulant Xhaka was banned for one game Friday for misconduct during club celebrations on a balcony in a public square.

The Swiss Football League punished Xhaka for making “derogatory comments about other clubs” – Zurich and Grasshopper – and lighting a red flare in Basel on Sunday.

The team had just won its first league title since 2017, and the sixth of the club veteran’s career in his last season before retiring. He cited the emotion of a final title win in a formal apology Monday.

Basel's president David Degen, right, celebrates with Basel's goalkeeper Marwin Hitz, left, and captain Taulant Xhaka after the UEFA Conference League quarter final soccer match between OGC Nice of France and Switzerland's FC Basel 1893, April 20, 2023, at the Allianz Riviera stadium in Nice, France. (Peter Klaunzer/Keystone via AP)

The Albania international, the elder brother of Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka, also was fined 7,500 Swiss francs ($9,000) and must do 18 hours of community service on a soccer project.

The 34-year-old Xhaka will miss the visit to Young Boys on Sunday and can return for a farewell, season-ending game hosting Lucerne.

“In addition to the apologies, the single judge also took into account the end of Taulant Xhaka’s career in his judgment,” the league said.

The ban of just one game was balanced by a bigger fine and the community service “to make up for the negative impact his behavior has had on the public,” the league said.

Basel previously said Xhaka would face an in-house disciplinary case.