The Swiss football federation has restored Xhaka’s and Breel Embolo’s eligibility after four missed internationals, putting both back in contention for November’s Nations League squad.
Switzerland coach Murat Yakin, his staff and the players’ council unanimously decided to retain Granit Xhaka as football captain, Al Jazeera said. The decision keeps Xhaka in the role as he becomes available for national-team selection again.
The Swiss Football Association (SFV) announced on October 27 that Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo could again be considered, beginning with November’s Nations League matches. Both missed four internationals in September and October after using forged COVID-19 certificates during the pandemic. They are on the shortlist, but Yakin has not yet selected his squad.
Xhaka, 34, is a Sunderland midfielder and Switzerland’s record appearance holder, with 152 internationals. He admitted using a forged vaccine certificate to avoid mandatory vaccinations. Embolo, 29, an Atlanta United forward, acknowledged that a penal order against him concerned fake COVID certificates.
Al Jazeera said the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into Xhaka when the Swiss squad gathered in late September, and he withdrew. Embolo withdrew a few days later for similar reasons. Both were convicted over the forged certificates; each received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, with a two-year probationary period.
The SFV said their legal proceedings had concluded and that the four missed internationals justified allowing their return. National-team director Pierluigi Tami said the circumstances of both cases, the completed proceedings and the sporting consequences informed the decision. He called a November return responsible and right.
The SFV assigns the captaincy decision to the national coach and team, rather than deciding that role itself.
Both players are eligible again after exclusions over forged Covid-19 vaccination certificates. Coach Murat Yakin will choose November’s squad and decide whether Xhaka continues as captain.
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The SFV’s central board also adopted uniform guidelines for criminal-law matters, SRF said. The same assessment criteria apply across all national teams, regardless of a person’s gender, function or status.
Yakin is due to announce his squad on November 5 for Switzerland’s final two Nations League group matches. He welcomed being able to make unrestricted selections again.
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| November 13 | Slovenia | Away, Ljubljana |
| November 16 | Scotland | Home, St Gallen |
Switzerland lead Group B1 after four straight wins. A draw against second-placed Slovenia would secure promotion to League A.
