Topic: Xherdan Shaqiri - Sponsored by The Cube

[Buck Pete]

Not trying to make light of the situation as both Shaqiri and Xhaka have every reason to do what they did.

But just reading some reports on the double eagle celebrations from the summer and saw that the Albanian Prime minister Edi Rama shared the pictures of their celebrations on his facebook page with the caption "Photo of the Day "

It really made me laugh that a leader of a country would do this. I don't think its wrong or anything, I find it genuinely funny he saw the opportunity of joining in at sticking two fingers up at the people that had wronged his own people and took it. 

[WhereAngelsPlay]

There's a reason why their fans were banned for 2 away games. Imagine a stadium full of the nutters and Shaq bangs in a hat-trick against the c*nts in the first 10 minutes.

[Jetmir M.]

Not trying to make light of the situation as both Shaqiri and Xhaka have every reason to do what they did.

But just reading some reports on the double eagle celebrations from the summer and saw that the Albanian Prime minister Edi Rama shared the pictures of their celebrations on his facebook page with the caption "Photo of the Day "

It really made me laugh that a leader of a country would do this. I don't think its wrong or anything, I find it genuinely funny he saw the opportunity of joining in at sticking two fingers up at the people that had wronged his own people and took it. 

You gotta check his Instagram profile, mate  It's like one of those memes' profiles. He is an absolute fucking clown, whos is the leader of the left party here, but in fact little separates him from far right snakes - Erdogan of Turkey being the closest i can compare him to.

I am baffled by the decision not to include Shaqiri, to be honest. Not that I care because he is Albanian, as he doesn't even play for our country, but what kind of message are we sending by this? The fascist c*nts will be in fuckin delirium having gotten their way. I say this because right after the draw their c*nt of a DM/Owner/whoever was talking this up about the reception he will get if he goes there, how he would feel very  small, and so on. That twat already had the fuel tanks ready, right after the draw!

It is absolute bonkers that in 21st century, in an event of this magnitude (the biggest club competition in the world), you have to leave a player home because dare you hurt the feelings of wild, fascist animals who still live 2 centuries back, and will jump at the first opportunity to cause riot.

[BabuYagu]

You gotta check his Instagram profile, mate  It's like one of those memes' profiles. He is an absolute fucking clown, whos is the leader of the left party here, but in fact little separates him from far right snakes - Erdogan of Turkey being the closest i can compare him to.

I am baffled by the decision not to include Shaqiri, to be honest. Not that I care because he is Albanian, as he doesn't even play for our country, but what kind of message are we sending by this? The fascist c*nts will be in fuckin delirium having gotten their way. I say this because right after the draw their c*nt of a DM/Owner/whoever was talking this up about the reception he will get if he goes there, how he would feel very  small, and so on. That twat already had the fuel tanks ready, right after the draw!

It is absolute bonkers that in 21st century, in an event of this magnitude (the biggest club competition in the world), you have to leave a player home because dare you hurt the feelings of wild, fascist animals who still live 2 centuries back, and will jump at the first opportunity to cause riot.

Very true.

It is the right decision though. If we have a legitimate fear for the safety of a player, then his safety comes before a game of football. What is fucked up is the situation even exists.

I heard on twitter that last night in Turkey, there was a pitch invasion and a black player getting chased off the pitch with the crowd making monkey noises. So with serbian fans, serbian stewards and serbian police - we probably felt we had no control over the situation and didn't like the risk involved.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

You gotta check his Instagram profile, mate  It's like one of those memes' profiles. He is an absolute fucking clown, whos is the leader of the left party here, but in fact little separates him from far right snakes - Erdogan of Turkey being the closest i can compare him to.

I am baffled by the decision not to include Shaqiri, to be honest. Not that I care because he is Albanian, as he doesn't even play for our country, but what kind of message are we sending by this? The fascist c*nts will be in fuckin delirium having gotten their way. I say this because right after the draw their c*nt of a DM/Owner/whoever was talking this up about the reception he will get if he goes there, how he would feel very  small, and so on. That twat already had the fuel tanks ready, right after the draw!

It is absolute bonkers that in 21st century, in an event of this magnitude (the biggest club competition in the world), you have to leave a player home because dare you hurt the feelings of wild, fascist animals who still live 2 centuries back, and will jump at the first opportunity to cause riot.

What kind a message are we sending to who? Klopp isn't arsed about the message, he want's this game to be about football and not be anything else. He's protecting Shaqiri from whatever was going to happen on the pitch and off it, and having to deal with something that we as a club usually don't have to deal with.

[Andy82lfc]

You gotta check his Instagram profile, mate  It's like one of those memes' profiles. He is an absolute fucking clown, whos is the leader of the left party here, but in fact little separates him from far right snakes - Erdogan of Turkey being the closest i can compare him to.

I am baffled by the decision not to include Shaqiri, to be honest. Not that I care because he is Albanian, as he doesn't even play for our country, but what kind of message are we sending by this? The fascist c*nts will be in fuckin delirium having gotten their way. I say this because right after the draw their c*nt of a DM/Owner/whoever was talking this up about the reception he will get if he goes there, how he would feel very  small, and so on. That twat already had the fuel tanks ready, right after the draw!

It is absolute bonkers that in 21st century, in an event of this magnitude (the biggest club competition in the world), you have to leave a player home because dare you hurt the feelings of wild, fascist animals who still live 2 centuries back, and will jump at the first opportunity to cause riot.

Unfortunately I think thats the exact reason why mate. Klopp is being pragmatic and although I agree with you that it is shit and shouldn't happen, the club obviously doesn't want to either put the player in danger or anyone else, or just simply be distracted. It's shit but it is only football too, this way there leaves no target for any distraction or any possible crazy stupid fuck doing something. It's certainly the right call all things considered IMO.

[lionel_messias]

Well played Klopp.

Minimal fuss. Remove the opportunity for a distraction, and keep a really good player rested for the weekend.

[Qston]

Very true.

It is the right decision though. If we have a legitimate fear for the safety of a player, then his safety comes before a game of football. What is fucked up is the situation even exists.

I heard on twitter that last night in Turkey, there was a pitch invasion and a black player getting chased off the pitch with the crowd making monkey noises. So with serbian fans, serbian stewards and serbian police - we probably felt we had no control over the situation and didn't like the risk involved.

I agree. It is pragmatism pure and simple. Quite correctly the club have said this is not political. The safety of the player, and more generally the fans and the squad, has to be the prime consideration. Doesn`t make it right though obviously. I would say that UEFA, FIFA and governments need to address the problem but sadly it won`t change a great deal no matter what anyone does. The reality is that whether in this region, or many other regions around the world including our own, is that prejudice, hatred, bigotry and downright stupidity are as rife as they ever were. All a bit depressing really.

[So… Howard Philips]

I agree. It is pragmatism pure and simple. Quite correctly the club have said this is not political. The safety of the player, and more generally the fans and the squad, has to be the prime consideration. Doesn`t make it right though obviously. I would say that UEFA, FIFA and governments need to address the problem but sadly it won`t change a great deal no matter what anyone does. The reality is that whether in this region, or many other regions around the world including our own, is that prejudice, hatred, bigotry and downright stupidity are as rife as they ever were. All a bit depressing really.

Just look North of the Border.

[Raid]

I think it's outrageous that a professional footballer has to sit out a match for these reasons but hey ho. Klopp's done the right thing to avoid a circus

[number 168]

I think it's outrageous that a professional footballer has to sit out a match for these reasons but hey ho. Klopp's done the right thing to avoid a circus

You are right, although given the rhetoric/threats spouted by Red Star factions you would think UEFA would have at least said something, then again UEFA are only concerned with keeping the dosh rolling in.

[Chalky Boots]

Uefa/Fifa can't even look after their own department, they've no chance in creating a politically neutral haven for footballers to perform in.

[paulrazor]

I think it's outrageous that a professional footballer has to sit out a match for these reasons but hey ho. Klopp's done the right thing to avoid a circus

did we once do this with Barmby at Everton

and i think United did too (obviously it wasnt politics then)

i think as well Klopp has done the right thing

[Poet]

It's not just due to his ethnicity though, is it? It's because he decided to make a political statement at the World Cup which was picked up worldwide, got him fined and now he's public enemy number one in Serbia.

No. It is due to his ethnicity.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

No. It is due to his ethnicity.

It's not. Otherwise Lovren would have an issue as well. It's due to his celebration.

[Raid]

did we once do this with Barmby at Everton

and i think United did too (obviously it wasnt politics then)

i think as well Klopp has done the right thing

I'm sure Ferguson left Rooney out once or twice at Anfield in his earlier years. Rooney's temperament probably contributed to that

[Poet]

It's not. Otherwise Lovren would have an issue as well. It's due to his celebration.

So, if he hadn't celebrated in the way he did, the Zvezda fans would have welcomed him with roses and chocolate? The celebration merely exacerbated tensions. A lot of Serbs, especially the right-wing ultras, deplore Albanians. That's the bottom line.

Lovren won't be given a soft welcome either.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

So, if he hadn't celebrated in the way he did, the Zvezda fans would have welcomed him with roses and chocolate? The celebration merely exacerbated tensions. A lot of Serbs, especially the right-wing ultras, deplore Albanians. That's the bottom line.

Lovren won't be given a soft welcome either.

If he hadn't celebrated how he did and the right-wing Serbs weren't such a bunch of war criminal loving twats,Klopp would have him in the squad.

The fact that you mention Lovren backs that up as well.

[B0151?]

So, if he hadn't celebrated in the way he did, the Zvezda fans would have welcomed him with roses and chocolate? The celebration merely exacerbated tensions. A lot of Serbs, especially the right-wing ultras, deplore Albanians. That's the bottom line.

Lovren won't be given a soft welcome either.

Napoli player went there with no issue other week iirc

[deFacto please, you bastards]

If he hadn't celebrated how he did and the Serbs weren't such a bunch of war criminal loving twats,Klopp would have him in the squad.

The fact that you mention Lovren backs that up as well.

This however again please stop placing an entire nation in the same category, not all Serbians support/love their war criminals.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

So, if he hadn't celebrated in the way he did, the Zvezda fans would have welcomed him with roses and chocolate? The celebration merely exacerbated tensions. A lot of Serbs, especially the right-wing ultras, deplore Albanians. That's the bottom line.

Lovren won't be given a soft welcome either.

Nobody would be talking about him playing or not playing, and nobody would be mentioning anything to do with the fact that he's from Kosovo prior to this match. that doesn't mean that the fans would have welcomed him with open arms, but he wouldn't have a target on his back.

SO HIS CELEBRATION IS THE ISSUE. That's not to say that right wing ultras don't deplore Albanians/Kosovars. That's not the issue.

Lovren isn't an issue and won't be an issue for them. The same reason why the Napoli player didn't get any extra attention when they played in Belgrade

[WhereAngelsPlay]

This however again please stop placing an entire nation in the same category, not all Serbians support/love their war criminals.

You're correct,I should've made the distinction.

[SerbianScouser]

This however again please stop placing an entire nation in the same category, not all Serbians support/love their war criminals.

Cheers for standing up for us however such claims don't bother me at all for how incorrect they are and for how much more they say about the person making those insults and their ignorance rather than what it says about us.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Cheers for standing up for us however such claims don't bother me at all for how incorrect they are and for how much more they say about the person making those insults and their ignorance rather than what it says about us.

Are you happy with my edit ?

[Buck Pete]

I'm sure Ferguson left Rooney out once or twice at Anfield in his earlier years. Rooney's temperament probably contributed to that

Or the fact he almost got a Nokia 3310 embedded in his fat skull

[Poet]

Napoli player went there with no issue other week iirc

Hysaj is from Albania, not Kosovo. He didn't have to flee from his home like Shaqiri.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Cheers for standing up for us however such claims don't bother me at all for how incorrect they are and for how much more they say about the person making those insults and their ignorance rather than what it says about us.

No worries, there are far more good people in Serbia and in all of the Balkan countries, than there are right wing nutters and the politicians that are unfortunately in power. We've been through too much to fall into that trap of thinking.

[Poet]

No worries, there are far more good people in Serbia and in all of the Balkan countries, than there are right wing nutters and the politicians that are unfortunately in power. We've been through too much to fall into that trap of thinking.

This, absolutely.

[So… Howard Philips]

Or the fact he almost got a Nokia 3310 embedded in his fat skull

I thought that was Goodison but maybe that was a contretemps with a couple of sponsors who had a go at him on the pitch?

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Hysaj is from Albania, not Kosovo. He didn't have to flee from his home like Shaqiri.

Doesn't matter. Serbia had issues with Albania and still do politically.  Albania and Kosovo are intertwined. Just because he didn't flee from his home, doesn't mean that he is less of a target than Shaqiri if we go based on your logic.

But he didn't do what Shaqiri did, hence why it didn't cause a reaction

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Klopp on Shaqiri: "It's not sad, it's the world, politics always has an influence on life. We are here to play football. We didn't want a story beside a football story and that's why we decided."

[Poet]

Doesn't matter. Serbia had issues with Albania and still do politically.  Albania and Kosovo are intertwined. Just because he didn't flee from his home, doesn't mean that he is less of a target than Shaqiri if we go based on your logic.

But he didn't do what Shaqiri did, hence why it didn't cause a reaction

I know they did/do, however there are more ill feelings towards Kosovar Albanians than Albanians from the south. He is less of a target because he isn't directly linked to Kosovo and he doesn't pride himself in the same way when it comes to Kosovo. Shaqiri is a proud Albanian from Kosovo, and the right-wingers are riled because of this. They view Kosovo as being a part of Serbia, as you well know.

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

I know they did/do, however there are more ill feelings towards Kosovar Albanians than Albanians from the south. He is less of a target because he isn't directly linked to Kosovo and he doesn't pride himself in the same way when it comes to Kosovo. Shaqiri is a proud Albanian from Kosovo, and the right-wingers are riled because of this. They view Kosovo as being a part of Serbia, as you well know.

Yep. Actually, there are serbian players in albanian league, but you won't see any serbian anytime soon in kosovo league.

[AndyMuller]

Well played Klopp.

Minimal fuss. Remove the opportunity for a distraction, and keep a really good player rested for the weekend.

Should have game him more game time against Arsenal if this was always the plan.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Should have game him more game time against Arsenal if this was always the plan.

That was more tactical than anything else. The problem was not having Henderson or Keita and not being able to make a like for like change in midfield.

[Crosby Nick]

did we once do this with Barmby at Everton

and i think United did too (obviously it wasnt politics then)

i think as well Klopp has done the right thing

Scored in the Anfield Derby and went crazy!

Didnt play in the Gary Mac derby but think he was injured at the back end of the season. Or was he just ‘injured’?!

[Cu Chulainn]

This however again please stop placing an entire nation in the same category, not all Serbians support/love their war criminals.

Agreed mate, gets very annoying seeing people say this sort of stuff about Serbians. It wouldn't be considered acceptable to say these things about others so I've no idea why Serbian people are fair game.

(And I say this as someone who's ethnically and in terms of nationality, Northern European, so I have no dog in the Balkan fight).

[Ravishing Rick Dude]

This however again please stop placing an entire nation in the same category, not all Serbians support/love their war criminals.

Not all, but the majority. Their current leader is Vucic, and he was very close to Milosevic. Vucic won the last elections with over 70%, if I'm not wrong, so that tells me that the majority of serbs love their war criminals.

[Jetmir M.]

It's not. Otherwise Lovren would have an issue as well. It's due to his celebration.

LOL.

Ignore the fact the he scored the goal towards the end of the game and he got abuse before the match had even started. Not only by the fans as well, even the media on the build up to the game.

[BabuYagu]

Not all, but the majority. Their current leader is Vucic, and he was very close to Milosevic. Vucic won the last elections with over 70%, if I'm not wrong, so that tells me that the majority of serbs love their war criminals.

This looks like a causal fallacy.