Swiss soccer star Breel Embolo in court: threat or misunderstanding?

Swiss soccer star Breel Embolo in court: threat or misunderstanding?

Breel Embolo, the striker for the Swiss national soccer team, is once again facing legal challenges. On September 3, 2025, his case will be reheard at the Basel Appeal Court after he was convicted of multiple threats in an earlier trial. Embolo, who currently plays for AS Monaco, strongly denied the allegations and made it clear that his appeal was not about avoiding punishment, but about bringing the truth to light, according to reports vol.at.

The allegations against Embolo are based on an incident in downtown Basel on the night of May 27, 2018. During an argument, he allegedly shouted at two men with words like "I'll destroy you" and "I'll finish you!" have threatened. According to the indictment, one man said he was “terrified” by Embolo’s statements and another man was insulted. Two of Embolo's friends were present at the time, one of whom was also charged with allegedly punching one of the men, resulting in a broken nose.

Emotional reactions in the courtroom

At the first hearing, Embolo stood out for his emotional behavior and constant interruptions. His lawyer had explained that his presence at the sentencing was not required. During the current hearing, he apologized for the offensive comments, but denied having specifically threatened anyone. Looking back over the years, he has been self-critical about his behavior, which gives the impression that he is taking the situation seriously.

The incident happened about seven years ago when Embolo and colleagues met another group in Basel. A man from this group provoked him, which resulted in mutual insults. Embolo confirmed that there had been an altercation, but clarified that this was not the same as threats swissinfo.ch.

Legal framework and possible consequences

The legal disputes surrounding Embolo shed light on the serious consequences of misconduct in public spaces, especially for athletes. At the beginning of 2023, he was sentenced by the Basel criminal court to a conditional fine of 45 daily rates of 3,000 francs each because of the threats. This punishment is intended, among other things, to clarify the serious consequences and responsibilities of public figures. After the hearing, Embolo requested to leave the session early to attend an upcoming training session for a World Cup qualifier.

Overall, it remains to be seen how the appeal court will decide and whether the Swiss international will have the opportunity to present his case from his perspective and possibly appeal the verdict. The latest developments in the Embolo case also come into the larger context of the legal consequences that can arise from misconduct by athletes and fans, which occurs on the platform lawmeetssports.at is examined in more detail.