CoV certificate scandal forces Granit Xhaka to pause

The CoV certificate pause concerns the Swiss Xhaka, who on Monday admitted having bought a forged Covid vaccination certificate. The 33‑year‑old captain will not feature in the first four UEFA Nations League matches for the Nati, because the Swiss Football Association (SFV) has excluded him from the training camp.

Decision of the SFV

In agreement with the SFV it was decided that Xhaka will not travel to the training camp in Belek, Turkey, and will sit out the next four fixtures. The squad therefore has to manage without its team captain.

The player confirmed in an Instagram message that, out of fear and great uncertainty, he had acquired a false vaccination document. He described the action as a mistake and apologized publicly.

SFV president Peter Knäbel said: “We welcome that Granit is taking this step and facing the aftermath.” He added that it is in the team’s interest to hold the gathering without Xhaka.

Reactions and Consequences

Xhaka further wrote that he had felt deep mistrust towards the vaccine and acted in an agitated emotional state. He emphasized that he will take responsibility and cooperate with the authorities.

The Nati meets on Monday in Belek and will prepare until Friday for away matches against North Macedonia (September 26) and Scotland (September 29). This will be followed by home games on October 3 against Slovenia and on October 6 against North Macedonia in Lucerne.

The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office has already opened investigations; Xhaka is expected to be questioned in early October. In 2023 the police searched a doctor’s practice and secured evidence.

After the four‑week pause the situation will be reassessed, with it remaining unclear whether Xhaka will return to the Nati in 2024 after the double success with Bayer Leverkusen.