Switzerland Captain Granit Xhaka Under Investigation Over Covid-19 Certificate

Switzerland national football team captain Granit Xhaka is facing an active investigation by Swiss prosecutors regarding allegations that he acquired a false or forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The inquiry, which centers on events from 2022, was confirmed by the public prosecutor's office in the city of Lucerne, according to reporting by BBC Sport.

At the time the certificate was allegedly obtained, travel abroad and access to various activities and venues in Switzerland frequently required proof of vaccination. While the Swiss office of public health noted that a general legal mandate to hold such a certificate did not formally exist, restrictions on unvaccinated individuals meant documentation was often necessary for specific travel and public venues until measures were phased out in the spring of 2022. Afterwards, certificates continued to be utilized primarily for meeting international entry requirements.

Xhaka, who currently plays as a midfielder for Sunderland and previously played for Arsenal, addressed the situation publicly via social media. In his statement, the 33-year-old midfielder acknowledged harboring a personal mistrust toward the vaccine at the time, attributing his actions to feelings of worry and uncertainty.

"In this troubled state of mind I acquired a vaccine certificate, instead of clarifying my unanswered questions in the proper way," Xhaka wrote in his statement. He added that looking back with clarity, his decision was incorrect and constituted a mistake. Offering an apology, Xhaka confirmed his intention to take full responsibility, engage with the investigative process, and cooperate completely with the relevant legal authorities.

Following the public statement, the Swiss Football Association announced that Xhaka, who holds the national record for appearances with 152 caps, has withdrawn from the international squad. The decision to step away from the current training camp was made jointly by the player and team management. Officials stated that discussions regarding Xhaka's long-term future with the national team will take place after the conclusion of the upcoming international window.

The timing coincides with an active schedule for the Swiss team. Switzerland is slated to play away matches against North Macedonia and Slovenia during the fixture window, followed by home games against Slovenia and North Macedonia in early October. Xhaka recently captained the Swiss side at the World Cup earlier this year, where the team reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual tournament runners-up Argentina.

While the exact penalties Xhaka might face remain undetermined, legal precedent exists within Swiss sport. In 2023, former Switzerland men's ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer was convicted of utilizing a fake Covid-19 certificate to travel and work at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Fischer received a financial penalty of 38,000 Swiss francs from a criminal court, was subsequently dismissed from his national coaching position in April, and was handed a four-year ban by the International Ice Hockey Federation earlier in the month.

At club level, Sunderland manager Regis le Bris declined to address the allegations when questioned by reporters following his team's defeat against Manchester City. Emphasizing that his focus remains strictly on athletic performance, Le Bris stated that it was not his place to comment on external matters outside of football, while praising the player's on-field contributions.

As the public prosecutor's office in Lucerne continues its inquiry to establish the full facts surrounding the procurement of the document, further updates from legal and football authorities are anticipated once the international fixture break concludes.