The key facts

  • Xhaka and Embolo missed four Nations League matches in September and October
  • Both received suspended monetary fines; the legal cases are closed
  • Xhaka keeps the captain's armband — a decision by the coach, staff and players' council

Return after suspension

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka and forward Breel Embolo are once again available for national team call-ups, starting with the November Nations League matches. The Swiss Football Association (SFV) announced this on Tuesday, AFP reports. The players had previously been suspended and missed the tournament's first four matches in September and October.

The essence of the case

Sunderland midfielder Xhaka, 34, the national team's record holder for appearances (152), admitted that during the pandemic he used a fake vaccination certificate to avoid mandatory vaccination. Atlanta United forward Embolo, 29, also confirmed that the criminal order against him concerned fake COVID certificates. When the national team gathered at the end of September, the Lucerne cantonal prosecutor's office opened an investigation into Xhaka, and he left the team's camp; a few days later Embolo also withdrew from the squad for the same reasons. Both players received suspended monetary fines.

Rationale for the decision

The SFV said it had thoroughly examined both cases and considered the players' return justified given the completion of the legal proceedings and the sporting consequences — missing four international matches. National team director Pierluigi Tami called the return in November

Captaincy and November matches

Head coach Murat Yakin, his staff and the players' council unanimously decided that Xhaka will keep the captain's armband. Yakin will announce the squad for the two final group-stage matches on 5 November; both players are on the shortlist. Switzerland, leading Group B1 with four consecutive wins, will play away against the group's second-placed team, Slovenia, on 13 November, and will host Scotland in St. Gallen on the 16th.