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Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has admitted to obtaining a Covid-19 vaccination certificate without receiving the vaccine and described the decision as a mistake.
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The Switzerland international will miss the team’s upcoming Nations League fixtures while an investigation by the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office continues.
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The offences under investigation could carry a maximum prison sentence of five years, although imprisonment is reportedly considered unlikely.
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Xhaka is expected to face questioning in October, while the Swiss Football Association plans to reassess the situation after the international window.
September 21, (THEWILL) – Sunderland captain, Granit Xhaka, has admitted to obtaining a Covid-19 vaccination certificate without receiving the vaccine and has withdrawn from Switzerland’s upcoming international camp as authorities investigate the matter.
The 33-year-old midfielder issued a public statement on Monday, September 21, acknowledging that he obtained the certificate during the pandemic after experiencing uncertainty and distrust surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine.
Xhaka said he had been influenced by fear and unanswered questions at the time, but accepted that obtaining the certificate was not the correct course of action.
“Today, I clearly see that this was not the right course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry”, Xhaka said.
“I take responsibility for the decision, will face the process of clarifying the facts, and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities.”
The statement followed reports that the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office had opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the certificate. Authorities are examining whether criminal offences, including the possible acquisition of false certification or document forgery, were committed.
Under Swiss law, the offences being considered can carry a maximum prison sentence of five years. However, reports indicate that a custodial sentence is considered unlikely in Xhaka’s case. The investigation remains ongoing, and the legal process has not resulted in a conviction.
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Xhaka Withdraws from Switzerland Squad
Xhaka and the Swiss Football Association mutually agreed that he would not join the national team for its upcoming Nations League fixtures. The decision was made after the midfielder informed federation officials about the situation and confirmed his intention to address it publicly.
Swiss FA president Peter Knäbel welcomed Xhaka’s decision to take responsibility but said the team needed to focus on its preparations without the midfielder.
“We jointly concluded that it is in the team’s best interest to complete this training camp without him,” Knäbel said. “Our priority now is to calm the situation and focus entirely on the team and the upcoming challenges in the UEFA Nations League.”
Switzerland’s upcoming fixtures include matches against North Macedonia, Scotland and Slovenia. The federation said Xhaka’s situation would be reassessed after the international window, with further discussions expected to determine the next steps.
The Sunderland captain is expected to appear before the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office in early October. The investigation reportedly relates to a certificate allegedly issued without the corresponding vaccination being administered. A doctor connected to the case is also reportedly under investigation.
Xhaka was playing for Arsenal during the Covid-19 pandemic before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023. He later helped the German club win the Bundesliga and German Cup under Xabi Alonso before joining Sunderland.
The midfielder’s latest statement came a day after Sunderland’s 5-3 defeat to Manchester City, following which he declined to comment on the investigation. He has now confirmed his intention to cooperate with authorities as the legal process continues.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
