In Lucerne, where a pandemic-era investigation has widened beyond one medical practice, Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is facing scrutiny over an alleged fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder, formerly of Arsenal, denies any wrongdoing and is expected to be questioned in Switzerland in early October.
Key takeaways
- Lucerne prosecutors are examining whether Xhaka unlawfully obtained a false Covid-19 vaccination document.
- The inquiry followed a police operation involving a doctor accused of producing forged Swiss vaccination certificates during the pandemic.
- Investigators searched the doctor’s surgery in 2023 and seized material linked to dozens of individuals.
- Xhaka says he will cooperate fully and has medical confirmation of vaccine doses on 25 January 2022 and 11 November 2022.
- The Sunderland player had previously missed Switzerland matches after contracting Covid-19 in September 2021 while still unvaccinated.
A Lucerne investigation reaches the national-team captain
The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office is seeking to establish whether there was any criminal conduct connected to the possible acquisition of a forged certificate. A spokesperson for the office said the purpose of the proceedings was to clarify the circumstances surrounding the suspected document.
The case stems from the investigation into a doctor alleged to have falsified vaccination records in Switzerland during the coronavirus pandemic. Searches at the practice took place in 2023, with authorities taking evidence that concerned dozens of people.
Xhaka, who led Switzerland at the most recent World Cup, has rejected the allegation. His representatives said he is available to the authorities and will assist the process openly. They added that his doctor has confirmed his first Covid-19 vaccination on 25 January 2022, followed by a second dose on 11 November 2022.
Earlier Covid absences during his Arsenal years
This is not Xhaka’s first public episode involving Covid-19. In September 2021, during his time in north London with Arsenal, he tested positive after declining vaccination despite Swiss public-health recommendations.
That infection ruled him out of two Switzerland fixtures. He then recorded another positive test in January 2022, shortly before the date given for his first vaccine dose.
Now playing in England with Sunderland after a long Arsenal spell and subsequent chapters elsewhere in European football, Xhaka will return to Switzerland for questioning as the Lucerne authorities continue their examination.
