Breel Embolo Leaves Switzerland Squad Ahead of Scotland Match
Breel Embolo has left the Switzerland squad and will not travel for Tuesday’s match against Scotland after the Swiss federation confirmed his departure on Friday.
What we know
- The Atlanta United forward’s exit follows new reports concerning alleged forged COVID-19 test certificates obtained in 2021.
- Switzerland said the move was made to ensure the squad can concentrate fully on its upcoming fixtures.
- Captain Granit Xhaka had already withdrawn from camp last weekend amid an investigation involving a medical worker accused of providing false COVID vaccination certificates.
- The Sunderland midfielder, Switzerland’s most-capped player with 152 appearances, has acknowledged obtaining a forged certificate in 2022 and said he made mistakes.
- Embolo was already unavailable for Saturday’s North Macedonia game because of a suspension from his red card against Argentina in the World Cup quarter-finals.
- IFAB later accepted that Embolo’s dismissal had been wrong and breached VAR review protocol.
What happens next
Switzerland face North Macedonia on Saturday before the scheduled trip to Scotland on Tuesday. The programme then continues with home matches in Lucerne against Slovenia and North Macedonia.
Embolo’s departure further reduces the attacking options available to the coaching staff. The 29-year-old scored in the 1-1 World Cup draw with Qatar after arriving late because of US visa problems, then netted again in the round-of-32 win over Algeria.
