Swiss FA reinstates Xhaka and Embolo for November matches

The Swiss Football Association has cleared the path for its two star players to return to international duty.

Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo are eligible for selection in the upcoming November Nations League fixtures. This follows the conclusion of legal proceedings and sporting sanctions related to forged pandemic health certificates.

The pair were omitted from the squad during the September and October windows. As a result, they missed the first four matches of the current tournament cycle. The Swiss FA stated on Tuesday that it has reviewed both cases in detail. The governing body concluded that the players' return is justified because legal processes have finished and the athletes have served their sporting penalties.

Xhaka, 34, plays for Sunderland and holds the record for most appearances with 152 caps. He admitted to using a fake certificate to avoid mandatory vaccination. Embolo, 29, who plays for Atlanta United, acknowledged a penal order concerning similar documents. Both players received suspended fines of 150,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to $181,225. These fines carry a two-year probationary period.

National team director Pierluigi Tami supported the decision. He said he is convinced the timing is responsible and the right course of action. Coach Murat Yakin, his staff, and the players' council voted unanimously to keep Xhaka as team captain. Yakin noted that he is pleased to make unrestricted selections for the upcoming roster.

Switzerland currently leads Group B1 with four consecutive wins. The coach will name the squad for the final two group games on November 5. Both players are on the preliminary list. The national team will travel to play Slovenia, which is in second place, on November 13. Three days later, Switzerland will host Scotland in St Gallen.

The Lucerne public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into Xhaka in late September. He admitted to obtaining the fake certificate and stepped down from the squad. Embolo withdrew a few days later for similar reasons. The Swiss FA has since released guidelines for handling future cases involving criminal law.