Granit Xhaka left out by Switzerland as criminal investigation begins over forged Covid certificate

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has been omitted from the squad for September’s international camp after admitting he obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic.

The Sunderland midfielder has also confirmed he is facing the consequences of his decision, while reports in Switzerland say the public prosecutor’s office in Lucerne has opened a criminal investigation.

Swiss Football Association president Peter Knabel said Xhaka had been informed of the situation on the previous night and had agreed to address it publicly.

“We welcome this step from him and his willingness to accept the consequences,” Knabel said in an official statement.

“At the same time, we all agreed that the team’s interests required completing this training camp without him.”

Knabel added that the association’s immediate priority was to settle the situation and concentrate on Switzerland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures.

“After this international period, we will reassess the situation with Xhaka and discuss the next steps,” he said.

Xhaka addressed the matter in a statement posted on his personal Instagram account.

“There has been a great deal of discussion in recent days about an issue from my past, and I would like to express my personal position on it,” he wrote.

“At that time, during the Covid-19 vaccination period, I was experiencing significant uncertainty and considerable fears. I had a deep lack of trust in the vaccine, and feelings of fear and confusion took hold of me.

“During this troubled state of mind, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of seeking answers to my questions through the approved channels and procedures.

“I now clearly understand that this action was not right; it was a mistake, and I am sorry for it.

“I accept responsibility for this decision and am prepared to face the consequences and co-operate fully with the relevant authorities.”

Reports in Switzerland say Xhaka could face a substantial fine or a prison sentence. Forging documents in Switzerland can reportedly result in a large fine or up to five years in prison.

The investigation follows suspicions that a doctor in Lucerne issued vaccination certificates without administering the vaccines. The doctor denied the allegations before Xhaka’s admission confirmed that certificates had been obtained.

Swiss police raided the doctor’s clinic in 2023 and seized evidence during an investigation involving several people believed to have received Covid-related certificates.

Switzerland compete in League B of the Nations League, in Group A alongside Scotland, Slovenia and North Macedonia. They travel to North Macedonia on 26 September before visiting Scotland on 29 September.

They then host Slovenia and North Macedonia on 3 and 6 October respectively, in the third and fourth rounds of matches.

Xhaka missed three matches for Switzerland in September 2021 after contracting Covid-19. He was playing for Arsenal during the pandemic, before leaving the London club for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023. He returned to England with Sunderland in 2025.