Swiss football stars return to squad after fake vaccine document sanctions

Swiss football fans will see two familiar faces return to the international stage in November. The Swiss Football Association announced on Tuesday that captain Granit Xhaka and forward Breel Embolo are eligible for the upcoming Nations League matches.

The pair were left out of the national team for four consecutive games in September and October. Their absence followed legal actions related to forged documents used during the pandemic.

Xhaka, a 34-year-old midfielder for Sunderland, admitted to using a fake vaccine certificate to avoid mandatory jabs. He currently holds the Swiss record for most appearances with 152 caps. Embolo, 29, who plays for Atlanta United, also confirmed that a penal order against him involved false COVID-19 paperwork.

Both players received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, which is approximately $181,225. The penalty includes a two-year probationary period. The Swiss Football Association stated that legal proceedings are now complete and the sporting consequences have been served.

National team director Pierluigi Tami said the return was the right course of action. Coach Murat Yakin and the players' council unanimously agreed that Xhaka would remain team captain. Yakin said he is pleased to make unrestricted selections for the squad this month.

Switzerland currently leads Group B1 in the Nations League with four straight wins. The team will travel to face Slovenia on November 13. They will then host Scotland in St Gallen on November 16. Yakin will name the final squad for these matches on November 5.

The incident began in late September when the Lucerne public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into Xhaka. He stepped down from the squad after admitting to obtaining the fake certificate. Embolo withdrew from the team a few days later for similar reasons. The Swiss Football Association has since released new guidelines for handling future cases that involve criminal law.