Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has acknowledged that he obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022, saying he deeply regretted the decision and would cooperate fully with Swiss authorities investigating the case.
The 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder made the admission Monday in a statement posted on Instagram, several days after the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office confirmed that criminal proceedings had been opened over a suspected fraudulent COVID certificate.
Xhaka said he had been deeply uncertain about the COVID-19 vaccine at the time and was dealing with what he described as fear, mistrust and uncertainty.
"Today I see clearly that this path was not right. It was a mistake. I am sorry," Xhaka said in his statement. He added that he accepted responsibility for his decision and was cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
The admission came after Swiss media reported that prosecutors were investigating whether Xhaka had obtained a false vaccination certification or been involved in document forgery.
The case is connected to a broader investigation involving a doctor in Lucerne who is suspected of issuing fraudulent COVID-19 certificates.
Swiss authorities reportedly searched the doctor's practice in 2023 and seized documents, including COVID-related records. Investigators subsequently opened proceedings involving both the doctor and Xhaka. The doctor has denied wrongdoing.
The Lucerne public prosecutor's office said the investigation was aimed at determining whether criminally relevant conduct had occurred in connection with the possible procurement of false certification and/or document forgery. Xhaka is expected to be questioned by prosecutors in early October, according to Swiss media reports.
Xhaka's admission also clarified reports surrounding vaccination records that had previously indicated he had been vaccinated in January and November 2022. At the time, he was playing for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Swiss authorities have stressed that the investigation is ongoing, and Xhaka remains entitled to the presumption of innocence. No final legal outcome had been announced as of Monday.
Shortly after Xhaka's statement, the Swiss Football Association confirmed that he would not join the national team's training camp in Belek, Türkiye, for the upcoming Nations League matches.
The decision was reached jointly by Xhaka and the SFV leadership. The association said the priority was to give the team stability and allow it to focus on its upcoming fixtures.
Xhaka will therefore miss four Nations League matches, including away games against North Macedonia and Scotland and home fixtures against Slovenia and North Macedonia.
SFV president Peter Knabel said Xhaka had informed the federation about the situation before making his public statement and welcomed the midfielder's willingness to accept responsibility.
Knabel also said there had been no discussion about stripping Xhaka of the Switzerland captaincy. The federation plans to reassess the situation with the player after the international window.
Xhaka's absence leaves Switzerland without its most-capped men's international. He has made 152 appearances for the national team and has captained the side for several years.
The midfielder's national-team status gives the controversy added significance, although the SFV has not announced any permanent disciplinary action against him.
The issue dates back to 2022, when Xhaka was still an Arsenal player. Swiss authorities had introduced COVID certificates for access to certain activities and venues during the pandemic, while vaccination certificates were also used for international travel. The measures were subsequently scaled back.
Xhaka had previously tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2022 and missed Switzerland's international matches that month.
The current investigation does not concern his performances on the field. Prosecutors are examining whether the circumstances surrounding the certificate amounted to an offense under Swiss law. Xhaka has acknowledged obtaining the document and said he is cooperating with the investigation.
