Credit: Twitter
During a Swiss football classic between Zurich and Basel, Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka's brother Taulant Xhaka headbutted his opponent Nikola Katic, who is a former Rangers star, in the chest similar to Zinedine Zidane's infamous headbutt against Marco Materazzi in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final.
The high-voltage action between the Swiss top clubs witnessed the away side scoring two late goals against Basel to take three points in the Swiss Super League on Sunday. Both the goals were scored in the stoppage time as four players received red cards including three from the home side and one Zuric defender.
In the final minutes of the game, Xhaka received his second yellow card of the match for his headbutt on Katic, however, the referee turned the yellow card into a straight red card after a VAR check. Xhaka returned to the field, expecting the referee to overturn his decision, but received a red card instead and continued at the bench.
Watch Xhaka's headbutt here:
Watch Xhaka receive red card after the VAR check:
Xhaka issues public apology after the incident
After the game, Basel captain took to his official Instagram handle and wrote in Swiss, which can be translated as, "I would like to apologize at this point in all forms for my suspension from last night." He continued, "You know me as an emotional player. As someone who doesn't back down, who gives everything for his colors on the field. And we gamers are human beings flesh and blood, who react out of emotion in certain situations. At the same time, no verbal insults in the field, against me and my family, justify such a derailment on my part. As an experienced player and captain of this team, I have a role model right now in difficult moments, which I unfortunately did not take in this situation."
He concluded, "I can't undo what happened last night and I'll, of course, take the consequences for not having control for a brief moment. Euer Tauli🔴🔵"
