[4] In September 2010, Embel was physically attacked in his electorate of Poroma, in the Southern Highlands Province during Independence Day celebrations.
[5] As Minister for Sports, in April 2011, Embel donated K40,000 to the PNG football squad to fund their training activities ahead of their departure to the FIFA U20 World Cup qualifier in New Zealand.
However, in December 2011, Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said that the NRL Bid Board and CEO Brad Tassell had decided that PNG would not be added to the competition, citing that the Bid was a waste of public money[8] In 2009, the Waigani Committal Court committed Embel to stand trial in the National Court over the misappropriation of K165,000 in 2006.
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said he was aware of the missing money and was being urged to act through the Executive National Council to stop funds being accessed.
[11] In April 2012, Embel admitted to physically assaulting a parliamentary staff member during an argument about his unpaid travel entitlements.