Switzerland bench Xhaka after Covid fraud before Nations League
In the quiet of the training camp in Belek, Turkey, the locker that should have held Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka stood empty, a stark reminder that the 33‑year‑old midfielder had withdrawn from the squad after admitting to using a forged Covid vaccination certificate.
Admission and Instagram apology
On Monday, Xhaka posted an apology on Instagram, describing his actions as a “mistake” and acknowledging a deep mistrust of the Covid‑19 vaccine that led him to obtain a fake certificate from a doctor now under investigation. He wrote that he had “obtained a vaccination certificate instead of addressing my unresolved questions through the proper channels”.
In the same statement, the Sunderland midfielder said, “I now clearly see that this was the wrong course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry. I accept responsibility for this decision, am facing the process of addressing the facts, and am cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.”
Legal proceedings and potential penalties
Swiss outlet Blick reported that the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office opened criminal proceedings against Xhaka, with the former Arsenal skipper expected to be questioned in early October. Authorities have not ruled out a heavy fine or a conditional prison sentence.
Xhaka confirmed he is fully cooperating with the investigation, reiterating his regret and the “deep mistrust” that prompted the fraud. The case also implicates the doctor who supplied the counterfeit document, who is now under scrutiny.
Impact on Nations League campaign
The Swiss Football Association confirmed that Xhaka, who has a record 152 caps for his country, will miss the upcoming Nations League fixtures against North Macedonia, Scotland and Slovenia. President Peter Knäbel said the decision was taken jointly after a meeting with Xhaka and the SFV, adding that it was in the team’s best interest to complete the training camp without him.
Knäbel also noted that Xhaka could be reconsidered for the November internationals, after the current international match window concludes. Switzerland will therefore start the Nations League without their captain, playing four games before the break.
The episode underscores the strict stance football authorities are taking on Covid‑19 compliance, reminding players that falsifying health documentation carries severe sporting and legal consequences. As a prominent Switzerland star, Xhaka’s absence will be felt both on and off the pitch.