PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) – Switzerland ahead Breel Embolo didn’t journey with the World Cup squad to the U.S. on Tuesday after his ESTA authorisation was positioned underneath assessment, the Swiss federation mentioned.
Embolo’s challenge comes after a Swiss court docket ruling linked to a 2018 altercation in Basel grew to become ultimate 9 months in the past.
The Stade Rennais striker was convicted in 2023 of creating a number of threats and handed a suspended high-quality, a verdict upheld on enchantment after judges rejected his account of the incident. Swiss media reported in April that Embolo had determined to not take the case to the Federal Court docket, making the judgement ultimate.
“Sadly, Breel Embolo is at present unable to journey to the US with the workforce,” the Swiss federation mentioned in an announcement.
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“His ESTA authorisation had been authorized till this morning. Nonetheless, at 10:30 a.m., we had been knowledgeable that his ESTA utility had been positioned underneath additional assessment.
“We’re at present involved with the related authorities and anticipate that Breel will both be a part of the workforce later at this time or journey tomorrow and be a part of the squad then.”
A spokesperson for the workforce, who had been boarding their airplane to Los Angeles, advised Reuters Switzerland had beforehand travelled to the U.S. to play Mexico and the U.S. in June 2025 and that Embolo had been allowed into the nation.
Switzerland are in World Cup Group B with co-hosts Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Qatar. Their opening match is on June 12 in Toronto towards Canada.