Switzerland striker Breel Embolo will not be part of the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. He faced disciplinary action for using fake Covid-19 test certificates during the pandemic.
He is the second player removed from the team this week. Captain Granit Xhaka was also left out after admitting he used a fake certificate to skip mandatory vaccination.
The Swiss football association announced on Friday that Embolo would not be called up, but they did not give a reason. Swiss media reported that his exclusion is linked to a fine given in November 2025. This fine was due to his claims of passing Covid tests with forged certificates.
Recent details about the sanction against the Atlanta United player came to light through the Schweiz Heute outlet. Embolo spoke to the St. Galler Tagblatt daily and said he has “understood that (his) behaviour was not correct” and has “accepted (his) responsibility.”
Xhaka also confessed to his mistake on Monday. He shared on social media, “I felt deep mistrust regarding the vaccine and was gripped by anxiety and doubt.”
The Swiss FA mentioned that they will review Xhaka’s case after this international window.
Switzerland will kick off their campaign against North Macedonia on Saturday. They will then travel to Scotland on September 29. Embolo would have been suspended for the first match due to a red card he received against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals.
After these matches, the Swiss team will host Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne on October 3 and 6.
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