Breel Embolo fails in court – the Swiss international remains convicted of multiple serious threats

Breel Embolo is a footballer by profession. As a Swiss international, he should be preparing for the World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and Slovenia these days. But Embolo has a lot going on.

The 28-year-old was absent from the move because he had to undergo medical tests with his future club, Stade Rennes. Embolo hasn't played yet this season. After joining the national team, he checked out again: a hearing before the Basel Court of Appeal.

Embolo's appearance in court is in accordance with his own wishes. In June 2023, he was convicted by the Basel Criminal Court of multiple threats . Instead of letting the matter rest, he and his lawyer have appealed the verdict. The case will be reopened.

The incident dates back over seven years and involves a nighttime altercation in Basel's nightlife district. A physical altercation between a group of people around Embolo and passersby ended with a broken nose and a criminal complaint filed by the victim. The plaintiff and the public prosecutor were absent on Wednesday. Embolo's friend, who was convicted of assault for the blow, also appeared with his lawyer.

"It's important to me that the truth comes to light," Embolo told the "Tages-Anzeiger" newspaper before the court hearing in Basel. During the first trial, he felt "like he was in the wrong movie because everyone involved told their own version." On Wednesday, it became clear that Embolo had learned something in the meantime. Perhaps not yet that it is part of the nature of a court hearing that the participants tell their own version of events. But at least he didn't appear with his baseball cap on backward and in holey jeans like he did the first time. And he seems to know that it's an advantage in court if he refrains from making platitudes and doesn't interrupt the presiding judge.

Neatly dressed in a black T-shirt, accompanied by his lawyer and the Football Association's media director, Embolo enters the courtroom and recounts how he and his colleagues were sitting in his Mercedes that night, picking up their friends from the exit. When a young woman recognizes him as the well-known international player and asks for a cell phone photo, he complies. In the background, comments are exchanged, and Embolo feels provoked. He said he called him "son of a bitch," but it was mutual. The only thing that could have been interpreted as a threat was: "If you're looking for trouble, I'll give you trouble."

Despite repeated questions from the judge, as in the first trial, Embolo still doesn't remember how the broken nose came about. Embolo only remembers a "push," saying he didn't see anyone "lying on the ground" or any "blood," and that he and his friends got back into the car and drove away. After 45 minutes, the judge released Embolo to go to training and wished him a "good match."

This is followed by the lawyers' closing arguments. The witnesses' statements are questioned, the length of the proceedings criticized, the merits of the threat are cast into doubt, and the media coverage is considered a mitigating factor. However, the extent to which Embolo, a highly paid international player with 77 appearances for Switzerland, is fulfilling his role as a role model and figurehead for Swiss football is not addressed in court.

"Only God can judge me," Embolo commented on the first verdict. "Get out of my way, mind your own business," he criticized the media coverage. Embolo has repeatedly attracted attention for his inappropriate, thoughtless behavior. He has also come into conflict with the law on several occasions.

Last April, for example, he was banned for unfurling a hate banner after the derby against Nice. He has two previous convictions in Basel. At 18, he was caught driving without a learner's permit. Three years later, Embolo was caught speeding at 81 km/h instead of the speed limit of 50.

After transferring to the Bundesliga in the summer of 2016, police in Germany confiscated his driver's license for speeding and using his phone. During the coronavirus pandemic, he was fined €8,000 by the Essen police after being caught in a bathtub during a raid on an illegal party the night after a game. His then-club Mönchengladbach reportedly fined him over €200,000.

Later, he was involved in a traffic accident in Monaco at 4 a.m. in his Lamborghini. In Basel, he made headlines by using his millions to buy dilapidated properties and evict tenants.

A year and a half ago, Embolo's name appeared on the sidelines of a criminal trial against Ertan Y. , who was sentenced to twelve years in prison for, among other things, sexual offenses, forging Covid certificates, money laundering, illegal possession of weapons, and fraud amounting to millions.

Investigators also discovered cash and luxury watches, six of which belonged to Murat Yakin. The national coach entrusted them to the convicted man for resale, but later reclaimed his possessions through his lawyer. The court ruled in Yakin's favor, and he got his watches back. Among the watches found was a gold Rolex Daytona belonging to Embolo.

When the judge confirmed the lower court's ruling on Wednesday afternoon—two years' probation and 45 daily fines of CHF 3,000 each—Embolo was excused from his duties. He is with Murat Yakin and the Swiss national team. The footballer is preparing for the match against Kosovo.