Switzerland reopens national team doors for Xhaka and Embolo after fines

The Swiss Football Association confirmed on Tuesday that Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo are eligible for selection in the upcoming Nations League matches.

This decision ends a four match ban that kept the two players out of the September and October fixtures. They now face a final two game stretch where Switzerland currently holds the top spot in Group B1.

Three key factors drove the governing body's ruling. First, the legal proceedings regarding their cases have concluded. Second, the players have already served their sporting punishment by missing four international games. Third, national team director Pierluigi Tami stated that returning the pair is a responsible step for the squad.

Xhaka, a 34 year old midfielder for Sunderland, holds the record for most appearances in Swiss history with 152 caps. He admitted to using a fake vaccine certificate to avoid mandatory jabs. Embolo, a 29 year old forward for Atlanta United, acknowledged that a penal order against him involved false pandemic documentation. Both men received suspended fines of 150,000 Swiss francs, which is roughly 181,225 US dollars, with a two year probationary period.

The leadership transition back to Xhaka was handled internally. Coach Murat Yakin, his staff, and the players council unanimously voted to keep Xhaka as captain. This ensures stable leadership as the team prepares for its remaining group stage duties. Yakin noted he is pleased to make unrestricted selections now that the uncertainty surrounding the two senior players has been removed.

Switzerland leads Group B1 after securing four consecutive victories. The team will travel to face second placed Slovenia on November 13. Three days later, on November 16, they will host Scotland at a venue in St Gallen. These matches will determine the final standings in the group. Coach Yakin plans to announce the final squad for these games on November 5.

The controversy initially broke in late September when the Lucerne public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into Xhaka. He stepped down from the squad at that time, and Embolo withdrew a few days later for similar reasons. The Swiss FA also announced new guidelines for handling future matters involving criminal law alongside the clearance decision.