Xhaka excluded as fraud probe looms over Swiss captain
The scandal labelled “Escándalo Granit Xhaka” saw Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka omitted from the Selección de Suiza after prosecutors opened a fraud inquiry into a Covid-19 vaccination certificate he is alleged to have forged. The Lucerne Public Prosecutor (Ministerio Público) now examines whether Xhaka obtained a document without being vaccinated, a breach that under Swiss law can carry a penalty of up to five years in prison.
Investigation details
The investigation focuses on a Covid-19 certificate that police say may have been falsified. A Lucerne doctor is also named in the case after her consultation was recorded by police in 2023, adding a medical dimension to the alleged document fraud. Xhaka, who was with Arsenal at the time the certificate was supposedly obtained, has been summoned to give a statement in early October.
On his personal Instagram account the player admitted using a false Covid vaccination certificate some years ago, prompting the Association Suisse de Football (ASF) to announce his exclusion from the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The federation communicated the decision as a joint agreement with the player and the Swiss FA leadership.
When asked after the Manchester City match, Xhaka replied, “No tengo ningún comentario que hacer al respecto. Hoy he jugado al fútbol y eso es lo que me importa”, before adding, “En absoluto. Ya he pasado por cosas peores”. His terse response underscored a determination to focus on football rather than the legal saga.
Legal consequences
Swiss legislation stipulates that falsifying official documents can result in a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, though no conviction has yet been recorded. Xhaka later told L’Équipe, “Mi sottopongo all’accertamento dei fatti e collaboro pienamente con le autorità competenti”, signalling full cooperation with the inquiry.
The prosecutor’s office will decide whether the alleged fraud constitutes a criminal offence, and any judgment will depend on the specific circumstances uncovered during the investigation.
National team impact
Switzerland will enter its Nations League campaign without its captain, facing North Macedonia, Slovenia and Scotland in the next window. Federation president Peter Knäbel said, “Granit Xhaka ci ha informato della situazione ieri sera (domenica)”, and added that the situation will be reassessed after the international fixtures.
While the Swiss side adapts, Sunderland prepares for a Europa League clash with Milan, meaning Xhaka’s club duties continue amid the off‑field turmoil.