BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Swiss striker Bril Embolo received a visa on Thursday and is heading to Switzerland. world cupafter his permission to travel to the United States was delayed by two days.
“We have just been informed that Breel Embolo’s visa has been approved,” the Swiss Football Federation said in a statement regarding the 2018 conviction.
“He will therefore be able to travel to the United States tomorrow, Friday,” the federation said. “He is scheduled to join the team on Friday night (local time in the United States).”
The San Diego-based Switzerland squad will play a warm-up match against Australia on Saturday before beginning their World Cup program a week later against Qatar in Santa Clara.
Embolo was denied boarding the team flight from Zurich to Los Angeles on Tuesday after his travel permit was blocked by U.S. authorities who wanted to prove the incident was non-violent.
He had been charged after an altercation in Basel city centre. The verdict was finalized in April after an appeal.
Embolo, 29, will be playing his third World Cup as Switzerland’s first-choice striker.
Switzerland has an advantage Group B That includes playing Bosnia and Herzegovina in Inglewood, Calif., and tournament co-host Canada on June 24 in Vancouver.
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
