Brel Embolo suspended from Swiss national team after fake vaccination certificate scandal

MOSCOW, September 26 - RIA Novosti. North American Major League Soccer (MLS) Atlanta United forward Brel Embolo has been suspended from the Swiss national team following reports that he purchased a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, according to the Swiss Football Federation (SFV) website.

On Friday, the portal Schweiz Heute reported that Embolo acquired two fake vaccination certificates through an acquaintance in 2021. During the investigation, the prosecutor's office seized correspondence from Embolo's acquaintance, in which the footballer's name was also found. The athlete was found guilty and received a suspended fine of 20 daily rates of 3 thousand francs (more than 3.1 thousand euros). The decision made by the prosecutor's office on November 25, 2025 remained unknown to the public.

"Brel Embolo informed SFV about a circumstance from his personal life that became known to the media today. Following this, the leadership of the union decided that the player will not join the team as planned, and the national team will conduct the current training camp without him. This decision is intended to ensure maximum focus of the team on the upcoming matches in the Nations League. SFV's decision was conveyed to Embolo by the director of national teams, Pierluigi Tami," SFV said in a statement.

Earlier, the Swiss publication Blick reported that the Lucerne prosecutor's office began an investigation against the captain of the Swiss national team, Granit Xhaka, on suspicion of possessing a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The record holder of the national team in the number of matches admitted his guilt. Xhaka was also suspended from the national team's upcoming matches.