In Lucerne, Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is facing a legal case that has pushed a pandemic-era decision back into the centre of his international career. The 33-year-old midfielder has acknowledged obtaining a false COVID-19 vaccination certificate and is due to answer to prosecutors in early October.
Xhaka made the admission in an Instagram statement after the Lucerne public prosecutor opened formal proceedings. He said that fear and mistrust had shaped his actions during the coronavirus pandemic, reversing the position presented by his representative only days earlier.
Quick facts
- Granit Xhaka has admitted acquiring a forged COVID-19 vaccination document.
- Lucerne prosecutors have launched formal proceedings, with a hearing set for early October.
- The Swiss Football Association has removed its captain from the next international gathering.
- He will miss four UEFA Nations League matches across September and October.
- Forgery-related offences in Switzerland can bring a substantial fine and a prison sentence of up to three years.
Andreas Bantel, Xhaka’s spokesman, had initially said the player was properly vaccinated and held valid medical documentation. Questions over the dates on the paperwork, however, undermined that explanation and left the midfielder to address the matter himself.
The Switzerland federation acted swiftly on the sporting side, excluding Xhaka from the next squad and the four Nations League fixtures scheduled for September and October. The decision removes the national captain from a significant stretch of the autumn programme.
Xhaka had briefly played down the investigation following Sunderland’s 5-3 defeat to Manchester City, saying he had endured worse experiences in life. His subsequent public apology marked a clear change of tone as the case moved towards a prosecutorial hearing.
Under Swiss law, obtaining or using a false coronavirus certificate can be treated as document forgery. Alongside the international suspension, Xhaka therefore faces the prospect of a heavy financial penalty and, at the most serious end of the available punishment, up to three years in prison.
