Granit Xhaka Withdrawn From Switzerland Squad After Admitting to Forged Vaccine Certificate
Granit Xhaka has officially withdrawn from the Switzerland national team squad after admitting to obtaining a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate back in 2022 while playing for Arsenal.
The 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder and Swiss national team captain released a statement on Monday taking full responsibility for the decision, calling it a “mistake” and apologizing publicly.
“It Was a Mistake, I Am Sorry”
Addressing the situation via his social media accounts, Xhaka explained that anxiety and distrust surrounding the vaccine during the pandemic led to his decision:
“At the time, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns regarding the Covid-19 vaccination. I felt deep mistrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty,” Xhaka wrote.
In this emotionally charged situation, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of having my unanswered questions clarified through the proper channels. Today, I clearly see that this was not the right course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry.”
Swiss FA and Legal Investigation
The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office in Switzerland has opened an investigation to determine whether Xhaka’s actions constitute criminal document forgery or false certification. The inquiry stems from a broader probe into a doctor suspected of issuing fraudulent COVID documents during the height of the pandemic.
Following Xhaka’s statement, the Swiss Football Association (SFV) confirmed that Xhaka would not participate in the upcoming international window:
Missed Matches: Xhaka will sit out Switzerland’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia, Scotland, and Slovenia.
FA Statement: Swiss FA President Peter Knäbel noted that the decision was mutual, stating: “We welcome Granit taking this step and facing the consequences. At the same time, we jointly concluded that it is in the team’s best interest to complete this training camp without him.”
Impact on Club & Career
International Milestone: Xhaka is Switzerland’s all-time record appearance holder with 152 caps, having recently captained the national team to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Sunderland & Club Stance: Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris declined to detail the legal matters following Sunderland’s match against Manchester City on Sunday, reinforcing that his focus remains strictly on Xhaka’s footballing contributions.
Swiss authorities are expected to question Xhaka next month. While Swiss law permits custodial sentences for document forgery, legal experts note that prison time in this case remains exceptionally unlikely.
