Granit Xhaka, the captain of the Swiss national football team, is currently facing scrutiny from Swiss authorities regarding accusations of obtaining a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The investigation is being conducted by prosecutors in Lucerne, who are looking into whether there was any illegal activity involved in acquiring what has been described as a “false or forged” certificate.
The allegations suggest that Xhaka, now 33 years old, secured the certificate in 2022, a time when such documentation was required for certain international travel from Switzerland. The public prosecutor’s office has confirmed that an inquiry is underway to establish the facts surrounding the situation.
Player’s Admission and Response
In a statement shared via social media, Xhaka expressed his feelings of mistrust towards the vaccine, attributing his decision to acquire the certificate to a state of anxiety and uncertainty. He acknowledged, “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.”
Taking full responsibility for his actions, he has committed to cooperating with the authorities during the investigation. His admission marks a significant moment, particularly as he reflects on the consequences of his choices during a challenging period.
Context and Potential Consequences
The Swiss public health office clarified that while there was never a blanket legal requirement for individuals to possess a Covid-19 certificate, such documents were essential for accessing various venues, activities, and international travel. As a result, those without the certificate were often restricted in their abilities to participate in these areas. Regulations requiring the certificate were lifted in spring 2022, although they continued to be issued for travel purposes.
While the specific repercussions for Xhaka remain uncertain, there is a precedent in the case of Patrick Fischer, a former coach of the Swiss men’s ice hockey team. Fischer was convicted of using a fake Covid-19 certificate to attend the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, resulting in a fine of 38,000 Swiss francs and a four-year ban from the International Ice Hockey Federation.
Impact on Xhaka’s Career
Following his public statement, the Swiss Football Association announced that Xhaka would not participate in the upcoming Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. This decision was made collaboratively between Xhaka and the team management, with plans to address his future with the national team after the international break.
Switzerland is scheduled to compete in away matches against North Macedonia and Scotland on September 26 and 29, respectively, before returning home to face Slovenia and North Macedonia in early October. Meanwhile, Sunderland head coach Regis le Bris opted not to comment on the allegations during a recent press conference, emphasizing that his focus remains solely on football.
Xhaka, who has earned a remarkable 152 caps for his country, recently led the Swiss team in the World Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Argentina, the eventual runners-up.
