Switzerland recall Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo for November Nations League fixtures

Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo will return to the Switzerland squad for the November international break after the Swiss Football Association reviewed the case involving forged Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

The pair were left out of Switzerland’s previous squads for September and October after being found to have falsified vaccination certificates against coronavirus.

The Swiss Football Association said both players would be available again from the Nations League matches in November, following a “comprehensive review” of the measures taken over the forged Covid-19 certificates in 2021 and 2022.

“Both cases were examined carefully, and it was concluded that the players’ return is justified after the legal proceedings had ended,” the association said on its official website.

The association’s managing director of national teams, Pierluigi Tami, said the decision took account of the individual circumstances surrounding the two cases, as well as the legal and sporting consequences.

“We examined the matter from several different angles,” Tami said. “The specific circumstances of both cases were taken into consideration, together with the legal proceedings that have now concluded and the sporting consequences that have already been applied.

“We are convinced that returning the players to the national team in November is a responsible and correct step.”

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin will announce his squad for the next international break on 5 November.

“I am pleased that I will once again be able to choose the squad with complete freedom in November,” Yakin said on the Swiss Football Association’s official website.

Switzerland will play twice during the month. They host Slovenia on Friday, 13 November, before facing Scotland on Monday, 16 November.

They currently lead Group A in the second level of the Nations League with 12 points. Slovenia, Scotland and North Macedonia are also in the group.