Home · Sports · Sep 21 archive
Xhaka under investigation over Covid-19 certificate
Confirmed
In Short: Switzerland's national team captain Granit Xhaka has admitted to obtaining a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate, leading to his exclusion from upcoming international matches.
Xhaka, 33, made the admission in a statement on social media, expressing regret and taking full responsibility for his actions.
The Swiss Football Association (SFV) said Xhaka will not participate in the upcoming men’s national team training camp for the Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.
Xhaka stated that he was uncertain about the vaccine and obtained the certificate out of fear and uncertainty, rather than seeking clarification through proper channels.
The Lucerne public prosecutor's office is investigating whether Xhaka committed any criminal offenses related to obtaining a false certificate.
Xhaka's doctor is also under investigation for allegedly providing fake vaccination documents.
SFV president Peter Knaebel welcomed Xhaka's willingness to take responsibility and said the association will reassess the situation after the international window.
Xhaka has been vaccinated since January 2022, but the incident occurred during a period when he had serious reservations about the vaccine.
The SFV said the decision to exclude Xhaka was made jointly with the player, who will cooperate fully with the authorities.
Xhaka's case is separate from a similar investigation involving the Swiss men's ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer, who was found guilty of using a fake certificate in 2023.
The Lucerne public prosecutor's office is seeking to determine whether any criminal offenses were committed in connection with the fraudulent obtaining of a false certificate or document forgery.
Xhaka is expected to appear before prosecutors next month to provide his statement.
What this adds
The extent of Xhaka's punishment remains unclear, but previous cases have resulted in fines rather than imprisonment.
What's confirmed
- Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka will miss the international camp after admitting he had acquired a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate, the Swiss Football Association (SFV) has said.
- Xhaka, 33, added that he was cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
- The Swiss Football Association said Xhaka, the country's record appearance holder with 152 caps, had withdrawn from the Swiss camp for their upcoming Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia and Slovenia following his statement.
- According to media reports, he obtained the certificates from his doctor, who is also under investigation for allegedly providing the fake documents.
- The Swiss Football Association (SFV) president Peter Knabel said: ‘Granit Xhaka informed us about the situation last night and told us that he will address it publicly and take responsibility.
- ‘Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns at the time.
- The controversy centers on the use of fraudulent certificates during the pandemic, when these documents were required in various settings.
- In a statement published Monday on his Instagram account, the soccer player admitted that he obtained a coronavirus vaccination certificate without having been vaccinated.
- Xhaka explained that, at the time, he had serious doubts about the vaccine and felt deep distrust.
- “Back then, I personally felt very unsure and had serious concerns about COVID-19 vaccination,” wrote the player, who also acknowledged that he was overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty.
- Xhaka also stated that he takes responsibility for his decision and is willing to cooperate fully with the relevant authorities to clarify the facts.
- At the time, the Swiss Football Association had issued a vaccination recommendation, not a requirement," he said. Addressing the investigations into the doctor at the heart of the Xhaka case, a spokesperson for the Lucerne cantonal prosecutor's office said, "The aim [of the inquiries] is to clarify whether there has been conduct relevant under criminal law in connection with the possible fraudulent obtaining of a false certification and/or document forgery.
What's still developing
- “In this agitated emotional state, I acquired a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my open questions through the intended path,” Xhaka wrote in a statement on social media.
- “Granit Xhaka informed us about the situation yesterday evening and told us at the same time that he would comment publicly on it and take responsibility,” Knaebel said in a statement on Monday.
- After that point, Covid-19 certificates continued to be issued, primarily to enable members of the public to meet entry requirements when travelling abroad.
- Granit Xhaka captained Switzerland at the World Cup earlier this year Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is under investigation by Swiss prosecutors over allegations he obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
- The 33-year-old is alleged to have obtained the certificate in 2022, when it was a requirement in Switzerland for some travel abroad.
- “At the time, I was personally very uncertain about the Covid-19 vaccine and had serious reservations,” he wrote on Instagram on Monday.
- Xhaka contracted coronavirus in 2021 and early 2022, the Blick newspaper said.
- BERLIN, Sept 21 — Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admitted that he obtained coronavirus vaccination certificates without actually being vaccinated, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
- Last week, police in the city of Lucerne confirmed that the Sunderland player is under criminal investigation on suspicion of obtaining fake coronavirus vaccination certificates.
- Regarding Xhaka, a spokesperson for the Lucerne Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office said: ‘The aim is to clarify whether there has been conduct relevant under criminal law in connection with the possible fraudulent obtaining of a false certification and/or document forgery.’ Punishment for forging documents in Switzerland could range from a fine to up to five years in prison.
- Sunderland and Switzerland star Granit Xhaka has admitted that he obtained a fake Covid jab certificate during the pandemic and could face a jail sentence as a result.
- The 33-year-old has pulled out of the Switzerland squad for the upcoming international fixtures as he faces an investigation which could lead to criminal charges.