Newcastle United’s Fabian Schar has announced his retirement from international football with Switzerland. The 32-year-old defender has represented his country at three World Cups, notching up 86 caps in the process and scoring eight times. He appeared at this summer’s European Championships for Switzerland, with their defeat on penalties to England in the quarter-finals proving to be his final game for his country.
Schar confirmed the news on social media today, writing: “It filled me with great pride to appear on football pitches around the world with the Swiss cross on my chest. I was able to experience incredibly beautiful moments with the national team. The emotions I was able to experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. Your support over these years meant everything to me and I will carry you in my heart.”
Newcastle United posted their own message, adding: “You have done your country proud, Fab Congratulations on a magnificent international career!”
Schar has spent the summer seeing Newcastle linked with a series of central defenders, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi their No 1 target. The defender was sent off on the opening day for a clash with Southampton’s Ben Brereton-Diaz and has two more games to serve of a three-match suspension, after sitting out Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth.