Embolo out of Switzerland squad due to fake Covid certificate issue

The Swiss Football Association has decided to exclude striker Breel Embolo from the national team squad during the current international break, following a case related to his possession of a forged COVID-19 certificate.

Reports from Switzerland reveal that Embolo was convicted in 2025 by the public prosecutor's office in Basel for inciting forgery. He received a financial prison sentence through a fine equivalent to 20 days, amounting to 3,000 Swiss francs for each day, totaling approximately 60,000 francs, with the sentence suspended and placed under supervision.

Thus, Embolo joins his teammate Granit Xhaka, who is also absent from the Swiss national team during the current break due to the suspension imposed on him, meaning the national team will be without the duo during their four matches in the UEFA Nations League.

The Swiss federation stated in an official statement that Embolo informed officials about the matter concerning his private life, which has become public in the media. They added that the national team management decided not to include him in the squad as planned, in order to maintain the group's focus ahead of the UEFA Nations League matches.

Breel Embolo was scheduled to join the national team after the first match against North Macedonia, which he missed due to suspension, and then be available for the match against Scotland in Glasgow, along with the matches against Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne. However, the federation's decision has ended his participation in the current camp.