In Lucerne, Granit Xhaka faces a legal process that has also removed him from the Switzerland squad. The Sunderland captain is being investigated over the alleged falsification of a Covid-19 vaccination certificate and could face a prison sentence of up to five years.
The 33-year-old midfielder is expected to be questioned by prosecutors in Lucerne at the start of October, although no precise date has been made public. Switzerland have excluded him from international duty while the case is under way.
Quick facts
- Xhaka is under investigation by the Lucerne public prosecutor.
- He may be questioned in early October.
- The alleged false vaccination document dates from 2022.
- A maximum sentence of five years in prison is possible.
- Xhaka has won 152 caps for Switzerland and scored 18 goals.
The incident is said to have taken place in 2022, during Xhaka’s spell at Arsenal. He later moved to Bayer Leverkusen before joining Sunderland, where he now wears the captain’s armband.
In a social-media statement on Monday, Xhaka apologised and accepted responsibility. He said that, during the pandemic, he had been deeply unsettled and had serious doubts about vaccination, leaving him overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty.
“Instead of finding answers to my questions through the proper channels, I obtained a vaccination certificate,” Xhaka said. “I now clearly understand that this was not the right decision. It was a mistake.”
The midfielder said he would address the matter fully and cooperate with the relevant authorities. His absence leaves Switzerland without one of their most experienced figures ahead of Nations League matches against North Macedonia, Scotland and Slovenia across September and October.
