{
  "id": 16795979,
  "title": "Xhaka, Embolo cleared for Switzerland return after COVID scandal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/xhaka-embolo-cleared-for-switzerland-return-after-covid-scandal-16795979",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-27T21:04:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/xhaka-embolo-cleared-for-switzerland-return-after-covid-scandal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka and striker Breel Embolo have been cleared to return to the national team for upcoming Nations League fixtures against Slovenia and Scotland in November. The Swiss Football Association announced the decision following an investigation into the players' use of forged COVID-19 vaccination certificates. Both players were fined 150,000 Swiss francs, which has been suspended for two years provided they do not commit further offenses. Xhaka, who holds the record for most caps for Switzerland with 152 appearances, and Embolo will be considered for the squad by manager Murat Yakin, who is set to announce the team on November 5.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Xhaka and Embolo to return to international duty after Covid test investigation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/xhaka-and-embolo-to-return-to-international-duty-after-covid-test",
        "published": "2026-10-27T16:03:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Xhaka restored as Switzerland captain and Embolo can play again after fake COVID-19 document cases",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/xhaka-restored-as-switzerland-captain-and-embolo-can-play-again-after",
        "published": "2026-10-27T16:07:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Xhaka, Embolo can return to Swiss squad after fake Covid docs affair",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/xhaka-embolo-can-return-to-swiss-squad-after-fake-covid-docs-affair",
        "published": "2026-10-27T21:17:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Xhaka, Embolo can return to Swiss squad after fake Covid docs affair",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/xhaka-embolo-can-return-to-swiss-squad-after-fake-covid-docs-affair",
        "published": "2026-10-28T02:18:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}