Switzerland's national team has been rocked by a second major scandal in days, with striker Breel Embolo dropped from the squad after being convicted of obtaining a fake Covid certificate. The Basel public prosecutor's office found Embolo guilty in 2025 on multiple counts of incitement to forgery, resulting in a suspended sentence of 20 daily fines totaling 3,000 Swiss francs each—approximately £2,700. The decision leaves the Swiss Football Association with a depleted attacking lineup just as the team prepares for a critical UEFA Nations League campaign.
Embolo's removal marks the second high-profile absence for Switzerland's upcoming international fixtures, following the earlier exclusion of Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, who admitted to securing a fake vaccination certificate himself. The Swiss Football Association confirmed Embolo's departure in an official statement, noting that the player had informed the organization about the matter after it became public knowledge. Director of National Teams Pierluigi Tami personally conveyed the decision to the striker, ensuring the national team could maintain its focus on the Nations League matches ahead. The association emphasized that Embolo, who was already suspended for the opening fixture against North Macedonia, would now miss the entire international break—four consecutive matches against North Macedonia, Scotland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia again.
Xhaka, the experienced midfielder who shifted from Arsenal to Sunderland, issued a public apology following the revelation of his involvement, stating that he had acted from a place of fear and uncertainty regarding the vaccine. He acknowledged the decision to obtain the certificate rather than pursue legitimate channels was a mistake and expressed his commitment to cooperating with authorities investigating the matter. Both players now face potential questioning by Swiss authorities within the coming month as part of a broader investigation into a former Swiss doctor accused of distributing fake vaccination certificates without administering the actual vaccine. The stakes are considerable: each player could face up to five years in prison if authorities decide to pursue forgery charges.
The dual absences represent a significant blow to Switzerland's Nations League ambitions, depriving the team of crucial attacking and midfield experience during a competitive international window. With Embolo unavailable to lead the line and Xhaka sidelined from the midfield, Switzerland must now navigate their fixture list against North Macedonia, Scotland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia without two of their most experienced players. The coming weeks will determine not only the team's competitive standing but also the legal outcomes facing both players as investigations progress.