Granit Xhaka investigated by Swiss prosecutors over alleged forged Covid-19 certificate
On Monday it emerged that Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is under investigation by Swiss prosecutors over allegations he obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate, the public prosecutor's office in Lucerne confirmed.
The inquiry relates to an alleged certificate obtained in 2022, when such proof was required in Switzerland for some travel abroad. The Swiss office of public health said there was never a general legal requirement to hold a certificate, but it was necessary for access to certain activities, venues and travel until measures ended in spring 2022. After spring 2022 Covid-19 certificates continued to be issued primarily to enable people to meet entry requirements when travelling abroad. Xhaka, 33, is now a Sunderland midfielder and was playing for Arsenal at the time of the alleged episode.
The public prosecutor's office of the city of Lucerne confirmed the investigation was under way. The probe is intended to determine whether any criminal behaviour took place in obtaining a "false or forged" certificate. The alleged document dates from 2022, according to the information released by authorities.
Xhaka posted a statement on social media on Monday and said he had a "mistrust" towards the vaccine and had been "influenced by worries and uncertainty". He added: "In this troubled state of mind I acquired a vaccine certificate, instead of clarifying my unanswered questions in the proper way. "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The Swiss Football Association said Xhaka, the country's record appearance holder with 152 caps, had withdrawn from the Swiss camp for upcoming Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia and Slovenia following his statement. The association said the withdrawal followed the player's public comments and that he would not join the squad for this window. The FA confirmed the move came after Xhaka's social-media post.
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. Xhaka captained Switzerland at the World Cup earlier this year, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Argentina. The Nations League matches form the international window during which the investigation and squad discussions will take place.
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris declined to comment on the allegations after his side's 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."
The Swiss Football Association said 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.