Swiss FA clears Xhaka and Embolo for November international duty
The captain and striker missed four matches following a two-year probationary fine for using forged pandemic-era health documents.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo are back in the pool of players available to Switzerland after a suspension tied to forged COVID-19 certificates was lifted. The Swiss Football Association confirmed on Tuesday that the two stars will be considered for selection starting with the Nations League fixtures in November.
Both players were sidelined for the first four matches of the current Nations League campaign, which took place in September and October. The suspension came after the Lucerne public prosecutor's office opened an investigation in late September. Xhaka admitted to using a fake vaccine certificate to avoid mandatory jabs during the pandemic and stepped down from the squad. Embolo followed suit a few days later, acknowledging a penal order related to similar fake documents.
As a penalty, the Swiss FA imposed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, or approximately $181,225, on each player. This fine remains in effect for a two-year probationary period. The association stated that it thoroughly examined both cases and concluded that a return is justified now that legal proceedings are complete and the players have already incurred sporting consequences by missing four international games.
Pierluigi Tami, the national team director, said the association was convinced that a return in November was both responsible and the correct course of action. Coach Murat Yakin, his staff, and the players' council unanimously agreed that Xhaka would retain the captaincy. The 34-year-old Sunderland midfielder holds the record for the most caps for Switzerland with 152 appearances. Embolo, 29, plays for Atlanta United.
Switzerland currently leads Group B1 in the Nations League with four consecutive wins. Yakin will name the squad for the final two group matches on November 5, with both Xhaka and Embolo on the shortlist. The team travels to face second-placed Slovenia on November 13, before hosting Scotland in St Gallen three days later.
Yakin noted that he is pleased to have unrestricted selection options for the upcoming matches. The Swiss FA also announced new guidelines for handling future matters that intersect with criminal law, following the resolution of these specific cases.
