Xhaka and Embolo cleared for Switzerland return after vaccine certificate case
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo can be selected again for November's Nations League games after the SFV closed its review of forged Covid-19 vaccination certificates.
Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo will be available for Switzerland again for next month's Nations League fixtures against Slovenia and Scotland, the Swiss Football Association (SFV) confirmed on Tuesday. The decision follows an investigation into forged Covid-19 vaccination certificates the pair obtained.
Xhaka, the national captain, missed October's matches against Scotland, North Macedonia and Slovenia after admitting he acquired a fake certificate that allowed him to travel and compete in 2022. Embolo, a 29-year-old striker, was dropped from the squad in September for the same reason.
National team director Pierluigi Tami said the federation weighed the specific circumstances of both cases, the concluded legal proceedings and the sporting consequences already imposed. He said the SFV is convinced a November return is responsible and the right step.
Both players were fined 150,000 Swiss francs (£136,000) and given two-year suspended sentences, to be enforced only if further offences occur. Xhaka took responsibility for his actions and has not been stripped of the captaincy, though the SFV said the final call on the armband rests with coach Murat Yakin, who names his squad on 5 November.
Switzerland lead Group E before their last two Nations League games, against Slovenia on 13 November and Scotland on 16 November. The source article contains no supporter reaction, so none can be reported.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
