Swiss prosecutors investigate Xhaka over forged COVID-19 certificate

Swiss prosecutors are investigating Granit Xhaka over allegations he obtained a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The Lucerne public prosecutor's office confirmed the inquiry aims to determine whether criminal behavior occurred in securing a false or forged document. Following the announcement, the Switzerland captain withdrew from the national camp for upcoming Nations League matches.

Xhaka, 33-year-old, addressed the allegations on social media on Monday. He admitted the acquisition was a mistake driven by past uncertainty about vaccines and promised to cooperate fully with authorities. "In this troubled state of mind I acquired a vaccine certificate, instead of clarifying my unanswered questions in the proper way," he wrote. He added that he takes full responsibility and will engage with the fact-finding process.

The certificate was required during much of 2022 to access certain venues, activities, and international travel within Switzerland. Public health officials confirmed those domestic mandates ended in spring 2022, though the documents remained available for travelers meeting foreign entry rules.

Legal consequences for Xhaka remain unclear. A similar case surfaced in 2023 when former Switzerland men's ice hockey coach Patrick Fischer used a fraudulent certificate to work at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Fischer received a 38,000 Swiss francs fine, lost his national team job in April this year, and recently faced a four years ban from the International Ice Hockey Federation.

The Swiss Football Association stated the player's departure from camp was a joint decision with management. Officials plan to review his international status after the current window closes. Sunderland manager Regis le Bris declined to discuss the legal matter. "It is not my area to speak about those problems or situations. My area is football. About football, he is really good," he said.

Xhaka, Switzerland's record appearance holder with 152 caps, led the squad at the World Cup earlier this year before a quarter-finals exit to Argentina. The national team faces away games against North Macedonia and Scotland on 26 and 29 September, followed by home fixtures in early October.