Sunderland and Swiss national team captain Granit Xhaka has publicly acknowledged that he received a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. The 33-year-old player has been excluded from the Swiss squad for the upcoming Nations League matches following his admission of a “mistake” made during his time at Arsenal.
Authorities in Lucerne are currently investigating whether Xhaka acquired the certificate through illegal means. If found guilty, he could face various penalties, potentially including a prison sentence of up to five years, though fines have sufficed in related cases in the past.
In a statement released on Monday, Xhaka expressed his regrets about the situation: “I had reservations and a profound distrust of the vaccine during that time, which led me to obtain a vaccination certificate rather than seeking answers through appropriate channels. I now recognize that this was an error, and I take full responsibility for my actions while pledging to cooperate with the authorities.”
A representative for Xhaka shared that he was vaccinated in January 2022 and again in November, following a positive COVID-19 test while representing the national team. Having made a record 152 appearances for Switzerland, Xhaka will miss the next four matches against North Macedonia, along with upcoming Nations League fixtures against Scotland and Slovenia.
Peter Knabel, President of the Swiss Football Association, acknowledged Xhaka’s proactive approach in addressing the situation and noted that it was in the team’s best interest for him to sit out the training camp to refocus on the challenges ahead in the UEFA Nations League.
In April 2026, a different case emerged when Patrick Fischer, head coach of the Switzerland ice hockey team, was dismissed after it was discovered he had purchased a falsified vaccination certificate to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The incident resulted in a hefty fine for Fischer but sparked discussions on the seriousness of such actions, with Knabel emphasizing the distinctions between Fischer’s and Xhaka’s situations.
Regarding the ongoing inquiries into the doctor involved in Xhaka’s case, a spokesperson for the Lucerne prosecutor’s office stated that the investigation aims to determine if any criminal conduct was linked to the acquisition of false documentation or forgery.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans as it highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding COVID-19 regulations and ethical conduct within sports. Xhaka’s situation raises concerns over player accountability and the integrity of sporting events, underscoring why transparency in health matters is crucial in professional athletics.
Source: www.cbssports.com
