Xhaka’s fake COVID certificate forces Arsenal captain out of Nations League

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has admitted to obtaining a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022 and has been excluded from the Swiss squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures. The 33‑year‑old midfielder, who captains Sunderland after leaving Arsenal, apologised for the "mistake" and said he will fully cooperate with authorities.

Investigation by Lucerne prosecutors

Public prosecutors in the city of Lucerne confirmed that Xhaka is under criminal investigation to determine whether the certificate was obtained through illegal means. If convicted, he could face a prison term of up to five years, although previous cases have resulted in fines.

Official response from the Swiss FA

Swiss Football Association president Peter Knabel said the decision to leave Xhaka out of the training camp was taken jointly with the player, stressing that it was in the team’s best interest. He added that the federation welcomed Xhaka’s willingness to address the issue publicly.

Knabel also noted that the Swiss FA had only issued a vaccination recommendation, not a requirement, for international matches, distinguishing the case from a 2026 ice‑hockey scandal involving a forged certificate.

In a statement released on Monday, Xhaka explained his actions, saying he was “plagued by fear and uncertainty” about the vaccine and, in a “turbulent emotional state”, obtained a false certificate instead of seeking proper medical advice. He called the decision a mistake and expressed remorse.

A spokesperson for Xhaka confirmed that he was vaccinated in January 2022 and again in November 2022 after testing positive while on international duty with the Swiss national side.

Xhaka, a veteran with a record 152 caps, will miss the next four Nations League games – home and away against North Macedonia, followed by matches with Scotland and Slovenia. The Swiss FA said the situation will be reassessed after the international window.