GRANIT XHAKA has waded into the explosive international row between Switzerland and exiled Noak Okafor.
And the skipper has urged the Leeds United star to keep his “mouth shut and work” to earn a recall.
Winger Okafor, an £18m arrival at Elland Road from AC Milan in August, has been left out of the squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Sweden and Kosovo.
The 25-year-old earned the last of his 24 caps nearly a year ago and last week vented his anger at head coach Murat Yakin after his latest snub and the Swiss FA over a lack of contact.
He fumed: “Since then, I never spoke with the coach, not even a phone call or a message, also with the (Swiss FA’s) sporting director Pierluigi Tami. They don’t even call me or ask me.
“For me, it makes no sense. I can say it makes me sad because they don’t even text me or call me to see how I am. For example, when I moved to Leeds, ‘Congrats’ or something like that, because I play now in the best league in the world.”
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That led to a stern response from Switzerland’s sporting director Pierluigi Tami on Tuesday, who said: “Noah could have picked up the phone and called Yakin at any time. His decision to speak out now is not good. This is the wrong moment.
“We don’t need an apology. Right now, only the team matters. After the training camp, I’ll certainly do something. But that’s all in the future. I expect patience and humility from him.”
Now Swiss captain Xhaka has revealed that he has spoken to Okafor, who has scored two goals in eight Leeds matches, on the phone before his team-mate’s public outburst.
He told Blick: “I had a phone conversation with Noah before his interview. Naturally, the national team was also a topic of discussion. It’s difficult for me to comment on this issue without knowing all the details.
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“He was given opportunities at the European Championship and the World Cup. Personally, I would realistically assess the situation: Why am I not making it? Why am I not in the squad?
“I think it’s good to maintain contact. Noah has great potential, which he hasn’t shown often enough in recent years. Now at Leeds, he’s coming into his own. The league suits him.
“Of course, there are others who have stood out even more. Dan Ndoye, for example, has made a tremendous leap in Nottingham. As things stand, he’s indispensable for the national team.
“[Ruben] Vargas is incredibly important; he scores goals and plays in Sevilla, and he has assists. The current statistics speak for themselves.
“Nevertheless, Noah could play a role in the future if he gets a better handle on certain things. Sometimes you have to look down, keep your mouth shut, and work.
“That applies to everyone – including me. In the end, performance on the pitch is what matters.”
Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn 2 – all the info
TIME for round two of this generation’s family feud!
Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn go punch-for-punch once again as both rivals look to make their fathers proud.
The blockbuster rematch takes place at the 62,000-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, November 15.
Eubank Jr narrowly outpointed his bitter foe after 12 brutal rounds in April to secure the bragging rights in what was certainly a Fight of the Year contender.
And the two British superstars will dance once more as Eubank Jr aims to do the double while Benn seeks revenge after suffering a first career loss.
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