Switzerland drops Breel Embolo from squad after fake Covid certificate conviction

Exclusion from the Nations League squad

The Swiss Football Association (SFV) excluded striker Breel Embolo from the national team on 25 September 2026 for its upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. Director of national teams Pierluigi Tami notified the 29-year-old Atlanta United forward after public revelations regarding his criminal conviction for obtaining fraudulent Covid-19 certificates. On 25 November 2025, the Basel public prosecutor's office issued a summary penalty order against Embolo for multiple incitement to document forgery, imposing a conditional fine of 20 daily rates of 3,000 Swiss francs with a two-year probation period. Embolo had acquired two falsified test certificates in 2021 through contacts in the Hells Angels, which were created by a laboratory employee. The player accepted the penalty order, making the sentence legally binding.

I have realized that my actions back then were not right and have taken responsibility for them.

Certificate scandals impact national team leadership

Embolo is the second senior player removed from Switzerland's squad in the same week over pandemic-era certificate falsification. Team captain Granit Xhaka announced earlier in the week that he would not make himself available after admitting on social media to purchasing a fake vaccination certificate. Swiss media reports on 25 September revealed that Xhaka used the forged documentation in July 2022 to enter the United States for an Arsenal pre-season tour. SFV president Peter Knäbel had stated on Monday that Xhaka did not require vaccination proof for national team fixtures or major international tournaments. The simultaneous absence of Xhaka and Embolo deprives the team of two members of its leadership council across four upcoming Nations League matches against North Macedonia, Scotland, and Slovenia.

Federation reaction and tactical adjustments

Head coach Murat Yakin addressed the squad disruptions during a press conference in Skopje on 25 September ahead of Saturday's match against North Macedonia. Embolo was already suspended for the opening fixture, but the federation's ruling prevents him from joining the camp for the remaining three games.

This decision was made at the association level. I certainly discussed it and was involved, but the decision did not come from me.

SFV head of communications Adrian Arnold stated that Embolo informed the association of the conviction on Wednesday, adding that the disciplinary measure applies only to the current international window and not to matches in November. Yakin noted that the squad retains attacking alternatives, citing Zeki Amdouni, Cedric Itten, and Winsley Boteli, while leaving open the possibility of call-ups for subsequent home fixtures in Lucerne. SRF commentator Sascha Ruefer criticized the federation's handling in Skopje, describing the sudden exclusion as an uncoordinated reaction after officials were caught off guard by media reports.

History of previous legal sanctions

The forgery conviction follows several legal incidents involving Embolo throughout his professional career. In March 2017, a Basel court imposed a conditional fine of 10 daily rates at 1,000 Swiss francs for traffic offences, including unauthorized learner driving and failure to carry required permits. Repeated speeding violations during the subsequent probation period led to a driver's licence suspension in 2019. In January 2021, Embolo breached lockdown regulations by attending a party in Essen, drawing an 8,400 euro fine from municipal authorities and an internal fine of approximately 200,000 euros from Borussia Mönchengladbach. In September 2025, Embolo received a conditional fine of 45 daily rates at 3,000 Swiss francs for multiple threats connected to a May 2018 altercation in Basel, with a two-year probation period beginning in April 2026 after he declined to appeal.