Shocking Xhaka under investigation for Covid, out of Nations League

The captain of the Swiss national team, Granit Xhaka, confirmed on Instagram that he had obtained a forged Covid certificate in the past. As a result, the Lucerne prosecutor's office has opened an investigation and the player has been excluded from the next four Nations League matches.

The Swiss football authorities have decided, in mutual agreement with Xhaka, to exclude him from the squad list. The decision was deemed necessary to protect the group during a delicate phase of the season.

Statement on Instagram

The captain explained the reasons for his action. “The vaccination issue caused me concern. I had deep distrust towards the vaccine and was plagued by anxiety and doubt. In this disturbed emotional state I obtained a fake vaccination certificate. It was a mistake. I regret it and will take responsibility for my actions.”

The president of the ASF, Peter Knabel, said that Xhaka informed them and appreciated the gesture of clarifying the matter. He added that, when evaluated together, it was in the team's interest to face the commitments without him.

Switzerland will face North Macedonia away on September 26 and Scotland on September 29. Afterwards, it will play against Slovenia on October 3 and again North Macedonia in Lucerne on October 6.

Knabel clarified that any assessment of Xhaka's future with the national team will be postponed until the end of the international window, after which the situation will be discussed again.