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Granit Xhaka has been dropped from Switzerland's squad for the entire international break after acknowledging he acquired a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate back in 2022.
A vaccination certificate was required in Switzerland at the time for certain international travel. On Monday, following the surfacing of allegations regarding his behavior four years prior, Xhaka issued a social media statement saying he had been "very uncertain" about receiving the vaccine and "felt a deep distrust" toward it. He then "obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my unanswered question through the proper channels."
Xhaka has since acknowledged it was "not the right course of action" and a "mistake." He also issued an apology, though the matter is far from resolved.
Xhaka Under Investigation
Before posting his statement as an Instagram story, Xhaka had already been in communication with the Swiss Football Association (SFV). Blick ran the headline last Friday, 'Did Xhaka buy a fake Covid certificate?' The report claims the certificate was sourced from a doctor based in the city of Lucerne. Those premises were raided by police in 2023 and "evidence seized."
On Sunday, following the news breaking out of Switzerland, Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris declined to comment on the matter, telling reporters it is not his "area to speak about those problems or situations." Xhaka had just played the full 90 minutes in a 5–3 loss to Manchester City. He had previously been an Arsenal player in 2022.
The prosecutor's office in Lucerne confirmed to Blick that proceedings have been launched against both Xhaka and the doctor involved. "The aim," they stated, "is to clarify whether there has been any criminally relevant conduct in connection with the possible fraudulent procurement of a false certification and/or forgery." Xhaka is expected to be questioned in early October.
The SFV stated it "welcomes" Xhaka addressing the matter publicly and accepting responsibility, having held discussions with the national team veteran on Sunday evening.
"At the same time, we jointly concluded that it is in the team's best interest to complete this training camp without him," SFV president Peter Knäbel said. "Our priority now is to calm the situation and focus entirely on the team and the upcoming challenges in the UEFA Nations League. After the conclusion of this international match window, we will reassess the situation together with Granit and discuss the next steps."
What Punishment Could Xhaka Face?
Covid-19 and vaccinations remain a deeply divisive topic. Choosing not to get vaccinated is not the crime at the center of this case, as it was never a legal obligation in Switzerland, though proof of vaccination was required to access certain venues or travel. The real issue is the alleged acquisition of false or forged official documents.
There is a Swiss precedent, however. Swiss hockey coach Patrick Fischer was found guilty in 2023 of using a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate to work at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He was convicted in criminal court and fined 38,000 Swiss francs ($46,264). By 2026, Fischer ultimately lost his position and received a four-year ban from the International Ice Hockey Federation.
As such, Xhaka potentially faces consequences that go well beyond a financial penalty.