Swiss FA clears Xhaka and Embolo to return after forged Covid certificate case
The Swiss Football Association said Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo can be picked again from November after legal proceedings over forged Covid-19 certificates ended and each missed four international matches. Both received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The Swiss Football Association (SFV) said on Tuesday 27 October that Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo will be available for national team selection again from the Nations League matches in November. CNAN “will be available for selection again next month, after completing an investigation” Read at CNA ↗ Al JazeeraLC “will once again consider Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo for the national team, beginning with the Nations League matches in November” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ Mixed · 2The case concerned forged Covid-19 vaccination certificates. Xhaka admitted obtaining a fake certificate to be able to travel and compete in 2022, and Embolo acknowledged that a penal order against him concerned fake Covid certificates. CNAN “the midfielder admitted to acquiring a fake certificate in order to be able to travel and compete in 2022” Read at CNA ↗ Al JazeeraLC “similarly acknowledged that a penal order against him concerned fake COVID certificates” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ Left · 1Al Jazeera reports that when the squad gathered in late September the Lucerne public prosecutor's office opened an investigation into Xhaka, who admitted obtaining a fake certificate and stepped down; Embolo withdrew a few days later for similar reasons. Al JazeeraLC “the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into Xhaka, who admitted obtaining a fake certificate and stepped down” Read at Al Jazeera ↗
Mixed · 2Both players missed the first four Nations League games, in September and October, which the SFV counted as the sporting consequences of the affair. Al JazeeraLC “The pair were dropped and missed the first four Nations League games, in September and October.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ CNAN “four missed international matches in September and October” Read at CNA ↗ Mixed · 2Each player was given a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs ($181,225), with a probationary period of two years. CNAN “Both Xhaka and Embolo were given a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs ($181,225)” Read at CNA ↗ Al JazeeraLC “which will be in place for a probationary period of two years” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ Mixed · 2The SFV said it had examined both cases thoroughly and found the return justifiable given the end of the legal proceedings and the sporting consequences. National team director Pierluigi Tami said a return in November was "responsible and the right course of action". Al JazeeraLC “National team director Pierluigi Tami said: “We are convinced that a return to the national team in November is both responsible and the right course of action.”” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ CNAN “has examined the two cases comprehensively and has come to the conclusion” Read at CNA ↗
Mixed · 2Xhaka, 34, will remain captain. Al Jazeera says coach Murat Yakin, his staff and the players' council unanimously decided this, while CNA's account of the statement says the decision rests with the team and the coach. Xhaka apologised, took responsibility and called it "a mistake", according to CNA. Al JazeeraLC “Switzerland coach Murat Yakin, his staff and the players’ council unanimously decided that Xhaka will remain the captain.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗ CNAN “highlighting that the decision remains with the team and the coach, Murat Yakin”“Xhaka apologised and took responsibility for his actions, calling it 'a mistake'.” Read at CNA ↗ Left · 1Yakin will name his squad for the final two group games on 5 November, and Xhaka and Embolo are on the shortlist. Switzerland play at Slovenia on 13 November and host Scotland in St Gallen three days later. The SFV also announced guidelines for handling future matters involving criminal law. Al JazeeraLC “Yakin will announce his squad for the final two Nations League group matches on November 5.”“Switzerland travel to face second-placed Slovenia on November 13, then host Scotland in St Gallen three days later.”“The SFV has announced guidelines for handling future matters that involve criminal law.” Read at Al Jazeera ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Al Jazeera reports the return as a settled matter, with squad-selection dates and background on the investigation.
- Emphasis
- Players' ages, clubs and caps, the Lucerne prosecutor's investigation, the 5 November squad announcement and fixture dates.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not carry Xhaka's apology.
- Charged language
- “fake COVID docs affair”
- For example
-
“Xhaka, Embolo return to Swiss squad after fake COVID docs affair” — Al Jazeera
“Sunderland midfielder Xhaka, 34, who holds a Swiss record 152 caps” — Al Jazeera
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- CNA runs a short, agency-style report on the SFV statement.
- Emphasis
- The SFV's reasoning, the fine, Xhaka's apology and the captaincy.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives no squad announcement date, no mention of the prosecutor, and no player ages or clubs.
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The SFV announced on 27 October that Xhaka and Embolo can be selected again from November.
- Both were given a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs with a two-year probation.
- Both missed four international matches in September and October.
- Tami called the return responsible and right.
- Switzerland face Slovenia and Scotland in November.
Where accounts differ
-
Who decided Xhaka stays captain
- Left
- Al Jazeera says Yakin, his staff and the players' council unanimously decided Xhaka will remain captain.
- Centre
- CNA says the SFV statement confirmed Xhaka would keep the captaincy, with the decision resting with the team and coach Yakin.
-
Which Nations League group Switzerland are in
- Left
- Al Jazeera says they top Group B1 with four straight wins.
- Centre
- CNA says they top Group E with 12 points.
Swiss Football Association organisation
Says it examined both cases thoroughly and that the return is justifiable after legal proceedings and four missed matches. It is also introducing guidelines for future criminal-law matters.
“The SFV has announced guidelines for handling future matters that involve criminal law.” — Al Jazeera
“is justifiable” — CNA
Granit Xhaka person
Admitted acquiring a fake certificate, apologised and called it a mistake. He keeps the captaincy.
“Xhaka apologised and took responsibility for his actions, calling it 'a mistake'.” — CNA
Breel Embolo person
Acknowledged that a penal order against him concerned fake Covid certificates; he was given a suspended fine and is on the shortlist for November.
“similarly acknowledged that a penal order against him concerned fake COVID certificates” — Al Jazeera
Left1 article
-
Xhaka, Embolo return to Swiss squad after fake COVID docs affair
Neutral Fuller account with background and fixtures, calling the case an 'affair'.
Centre1 article
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CNAN ·
Xhaka and Embolo to return to international duty after Covid test investigation
Neutral Concise report of the SFV statement with the sanctions and Xhaka's apology.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 27 Oct 16:03 First CNAN Xhaka and Embolo to return to international duty after Covid test investigation
- 28 Oct 08:24 +16h 21m Al JazeeraLC Xhaka, Embolo return to Swiss squad after fake COVID docs affair
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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