BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Switzerland forward Breel Embolo applied for an emergency visa at the U.S. Embassy in Bern on Wednesday, one day after entering the country. The team was denied boarding the plane. Due to his conviction, he was unable to participate in the World Cup.
The Swiss Football Federation, during the team’s training camp in San Diego, confirmed on Tuesday why Embolo’s travel authorization to the United States was under review. He has a binding conviction this year.
Mr Embolo was charged in 2018 after an altercation in Basel city centre, and his conviction was upheld on appeal last September. The ruling was finalized in April, weeks before Embolo was scheduled to travel to the United States for the third time. world cup of his career.
“The embassy’s investigation focused specifically on whether physical violence was involved, which was not the case,” the Swiss Football Association said. “Brill and his team are currently awaiting approval to travel to San Diego and join the team as soon as possible.”
Switzerland begins its World Cup campaign on June 13 against Qatar at San Francisco 49ers Stadium in Santa Clara.
The Swiss then play against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Inglewood, California to finish Group B They will play against tournament co-host Canada in Vancouver on June 24th.
Embolo, 29, is set to be Switzerland’s first-choice striker and has scored 24 goals in 86 international games.
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