Thecrossed hands gesture is a hand signal that denotesAlbania inInternational Sign.[1] Known asshenja e flamurit (flag sign) inAlbanian, it is sometimes referred to as the"eagle gesture" and is a symbol used by ethnicAlbanians in Albania,Kosovo, and other regions of the world where Albanians live. It is meant to visually demonstrate thedouble-headed eagle, the main image on theAlbanian flag.[2] The symbolism of the double-headed eagle among Albanians encapsulates their ethnicity and flag, viewing it as a symbol that represents ethnic-Albanian people across the globe. Albanians call themselves as "Shqiptar" (son of eagle) and their country "Shqipëri" (land of eagles).[1] It is also sometimes viewed as alluding to theGreater Albaniairredentist concept.[3]
This gesture is often performed by players of theAlbania national football team tocelebrate a goal or at the end of a victorious game.[4] It has also been used by some ethnic Albanians playing for other teams.[5]
In the2018 FIFA World Cup, Swiss players of Kosovan descentXherdan Shaqiri andGranit Xhaka and Swiss playerStephan Lichtsteiner, performed the gesture in a match againstSerbia and were subsequently fined by FIFA "for unsporting behaviour contrary to the principles of fair-play".[6][7][8][9] In a similar incident during theUEFA Euro 2024 Championship's Serbia–England match, Kosovar journalistArlind Sadiku directed the gesture at Serbian fans while on a live broadcast; UEFA revoked Sadiku's Euro 2024 media accreditation pass several days later.[10]
During a traditional annualMontenegrin high-diving competition held in July 2025 at the iconic "Vezirov most" bridge inPodgorica, diver Shkëlzen Goqi was disqualified for making the Albanian double-headed eagle gesture before his dive.[11] Popular Montenegrin media, such as Pobjeda, described the symbol as connected to the notion of a "Greater Albania" and labeled Goqi's act as a "provocation."[12][13]
During theEurovision Song Contest 2018, Greek singer of Albanian descentEleni Foureira made the Albanian patriotic eagle gesture in a photo with Albanian singerEugent Bushpepa. The image went viral in Albania and Greece, being well received in the former but causing controversy in the latter.[14]
