Swiss Prosecutors Investigate Xhaka Over Alleged Forged COVID-19 Certificate

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is under investigation by Swiss prosecutors over allegations that he obtained a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate, authorities have confirmed.

The 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder is alleged to have obtained the certificate in 2022, when it was required in Switzerland for some travel abroad. The public prosecutor’s office in Lucerne confirmed the investigation is under way to determine whether any criminal behaviour occurred in obtaining a “false or forged” certificate.

Xhaka, who was playing for Arsenal at the time, said in a social media statement on Monday that he had “mistrust” towards the vaccine and had been “influenced by worries and uncertainty.”

“In this troubled state of mind I acquired a vaccine certificate, instead of clarifying my unanswered questions in the proper way,” he said. “Today I see clearly, that this way was not correct. It was a mistake. I’m sorry. I take responsibility for this decision, will engage with the process of establishing the facts and fully co-operate with the relevant authorities.”

The Swiss office of public health confirmed that while there was never a general legal requirement to obtain or hold such a certificate, it was needed for access to various activities, venues and travel, meaning participation was restricted for anyone who did not possess one. The measures in Switzerland were in place until spring 2022. After that point, COVID-19 certificates continued to be issued, primarily to enable members of the public to meet entry requirements when travelling abroad.

The Swiss Football Association said Xhaka, the country’s record appearance holder with 152 caps, had withdrawn from the Swiss camp for upcoming Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia and Slovenia following his statement. It added that the decision to withdraw had been made jointly by the player and management and that they would discuss Xhaka’s future with the team after the international window.

Switzerland have away fixtures against North Macedonia and Scotland on 26 and 29 September, before facing Slovenia and North Macedonia at home in early October.

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris refused to comment on the allegations following the Black Cats’ defeat at Manchester City on Sunday. “It is not my area to speak about those problems or situations,” he said. “My area is football. About football, he is really good.”

Xhaka captained Switzerland at the World Cup earlier this year, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Argentina.