Basel player Taulant Xhaka banned 1 game for misconduct at title celebrations
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.
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.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
13 minutes ago
- New York Times
49ers' Trent Williams on his future: ‘Not going to retire with something left in the tank'
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Trent Williams has seen it all as he gets ready for his 16th NFL season, but he is admittedly new to the whole voluntary organized team activity thing he's participated in this offseason. The San Francisco 49ers' left tackle has been at team headquarters for a couple of weeks now, including Tuesday's start of the team's two-day mandatory minicamp. While he said he doesn't regret missing every non-mandatory session the past 10 years, he is very excited to have been around more this offseason. Advertisement 'You wouldn't think that this is a team that went 6-11 last year,' Williams said Tuesday. 'The confidence, the way the kids are flying around. … The new draft class to me looks like it has several steals, several great picks that are going to contribute. 'I was really pleased to see how the confidence and how the atmosphere is coming back and kind of being around the guys for the first time.' Wednesday's session is the last practice before the team parts ways until training camp in six weeks. Williams, who turns 37 next month, had mentioned last year that he would like to play until he is 40 years old, and pooh-poohed any talk of retirement. 'I didn't give it a lot of thought (this offseason), honestly,' Williams said. 'I just feel like I do myself and my teammates a disservice if I'm looking towards the end. I'm paid and people count on me to be here now and we've got goals and aspirations as a team. I just don't think putting brain power towards that helps us get to where we want to go. 'You know, when it happens, it happens. I feel like I'll know. One day I should know when it's getting (to be) that time and then I'll do the responsible thing and let them know early enough so that they can make the adjustments needed … (but) I'm definitely not going to retire with something left in the tank.' Williams said his ankle injury, which caused him to miss seven games last season, was completely healed by February. And 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said while he was thrilled Williams came to work early this year, the team will manage his workload. 'With age and the wear and tear and stuff, we just try to keep (his) legs fresher and stuff,' Shanahan said. 'I'll be shocked if we put him out there (Wednesday). He'll be good to go for (training) camp. … He's healthy and right where he needs to be.' Advertisement And he has always been a hard worker, even when he was training on his own in the offseason and not always at the facility. A player has to work year-round to be able to earn playing in 188 career games. 'I love Trent being around so people can see how much he does care about football, how much he does work at football,' Shanahan said. 'It's cool at his age and where he is at in his career for people to still see what he has to do to get ready. He has to do it for himself more than anything, but anytime you have the kind of credibility that someone like Trent has earned, anytime someone gets to watch him do that and watch what he puts into it will always help other people.' And it might help him earn another redo on his contract. While Williams' deal runs through 2026, only this next season is guaranteed at $21.1 million. Williams said that 'doesn't concern' him. 'I'm taking everything one year at a time,' Williams said. 'I feel like if my play warrants a new year or two on a deal or whatever, then I'm here for it. If not, then you know it'd be time to sail on into the sunset.' Williams did have to wave goodbye to some of his favorite teammates this offseason, as players like Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga, Aaron Banks and Charvarius Ward, among others, left for new teams, while Javon Hargrave and Leonard Floyd were cut and Deebo Samuel and Jordan Mason were traded. 'It's always tough,' Williams said, 'but it's my 16th year, so I understand how the business goes. Those guys are family, so you wanna see the best thing happen to them that puts them in the best situation. All of those guys, I am really, really happy for them. I think that they're really blessed. Like (Aaron) Banks getting compensated, Jaylon Moore getting compensated. It's a blessing that doesn't come often in this league. Advertisement 'I think Deebo found a home that he is going to flourish in.' Williams said he will miss those guys in the locker room and on the field, but is excited about one newcomer, former Philadelphia Eagles pass rusher Bryce Huff. 'He's gonna bring that speed demon off the edge, that guy that's gonna require a running back or a chip (blocker) opposite of Nick (Bosa),' Williams said. 'He adds that Dee Ford effect that they had in 2019 that took them to the Super Bowl. One of the reasons we had a really, really good defense for those couple years is having that guy who can actually make that quarterback step up by getting a good jump off the ball and bending the edge.' Williams also was happy to shake hands with the new Brock Purdy after the quarterback signed his new $265 million contract. 'He's one of the richest people I've ever met in person,' Williams, smiling, said. 'For me, it's just super, super fulfilling just to watch a guy like Brock. You talk about a Cinderella story, and this is the epitome of that, from making a few hundred thousand a year to making 50 million a year is astronomical. … And it couldn't have happened to a better guy.' More importantly, Williams said Purdy is 'the' guy. 'He is the guy for this franchise,' Williams said. 'This is just the tip of the iceberg. He's gonna get another contract. He's going to win a lot of football games. He's that good of a player. So super, super happy to see that happen for him. I love him like a brother, you know, so I couldn't be any happier.'
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
‘Greats of the Game' event to debut at Sanford International
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Sanford Sports announced a new event featuring two golf legends and two Pro Football Hall of Fame members. Sir Nick Faldo, Andy North, Cris Carter and Ronde Barber will be part in the inaugural event. The 'Greats of the Game' will be a nine hole event, played on Saturday, September 13 at the Sanford International. 'We have been eager to bring back a special on-course event for the fans during the Saturday of the Sanford International, and this lineup of athletes and format is the perfect fit,' said Davis Trosin, tournament director of the Sanford International. 'Andy is the quintessential ambassador of the game, and we are excited to welcome Sir Nick, Cris and Rondé to Sioux Falls for an event that will bring a new level of excitement to tournament weekend.' Faldo is a six time major championship winner who has 43 professional wins on his resume, including three Masters Tournament victories. Carter and Barber are Pro Football hall of Fame members who played multiple years in the NFL. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rams don't see Jaire Alexander in their future
The situation at cornerback is apparently so bad on the Rams depth chart that Sean McVay and Les Snead won't escape questions about available options at any opportunity. The Green Bay Packers released former Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander on Monday and less than 24 hours later, McVay was asked if L.A. had any plans to sign him. 'I don't know if that's a direction that we would go,' replied McVay. A top-20 pick in the 2018 draft, Alexander has missed more than half of the season due to injury in three of the last four years. But in his only healthy campaign out of the four, Alexander had five interceptions and was named as a second-team All-Pro. While Jalen Ramsey would cost the Rams draft picks and money, Alexander is a free agent who is not likely to get much guaranteed money on his next deal. Alexander also allowed three touchdowns last season in only seven games, according to Pro-Football-Reference. His passer rating allowed over the last two seasons (14 games) would be roughly 100, an underwhelming mark for a player who has also been unable to stay healthy and active. Alexander has not only had trouble with his knee, but also his shoulder. The list of potential issues is mounting for a player who has mostly been propped up in the media and by fans because of success he had almost five years ago. The situation isn't all that much unlike signing Tre'Davious White in 2024, a poor outcome that likely plays into McVay's answer that the Rams most likely 'won't go in the direction' of Jaire Alexander. I guess it doesn't hurt to ask. More from 2018 NFL Draft top 50 big board Random Ramsdom 1/11: the future is here Evaluating the Los Angeles Rams trade for WR Sammy Watkins: Was it worth it? 2018 NFL Mock Draft has Los Angeles Rams' needs in full view 2018 NFL Mock Draft keeps LA Rams pinned to cornerback in round 1 Random Ramsdom 1/10: QB Coaching change Report: Los Angeles Rams to play in Mexico in 2018 (UPDATED)
