Granit Xhaka’s business after Sunderland’s match against Manchester City extended well beyond the final whistle, with the Switzerland midfielder facing an investigation in Lucerne over an allegedly fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
The Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office is examining whether Xhaka obtained a certificate despite not receiving the vaccination, and whether that could amount to an offence involving forged documents. The case remains open and Xhaka is presumed innocent.
The investigation
- Police searched the practice of a Lucerne doctor in 2023 and recovered documents connected to several vaccination certificates.
- The doctor is also involved in the proceedings, which are now considering Xhaka’s alleged connection to one of those certificates.
- Xhaka is expected to give evidence to Swiss authorities at the beginning of October.
- He has been left out of Switzerland’s squad for its UEFA Nations League fixtures while the matter continues.
Under Swiss law, document forgery can carry a prison term of up to five years. Any potential punishment would, however, depend on the specific circumstances established during the investigation.
Xhaka keeps focus on football
Asked about the proceedings after the City game, Xhaka declined to discuss the detail. “I have no comment to make on that. I played football today, and that is what matters to me,” he said.
When pressed on whether the case was causing him concern, the Sunderland player was equally firm: “Not at all. I have been through worse.”
