Granit Xhaka has pulled out of Switzerland’s national squad after prosecutors opened criminal proceedings over an alleged fake Covid vaccination certificate. The Sunderland midfielder faces questions over documents linked to his time at Arsenal. The Granit Xhaka Covid investigation has landed right in the middle of one of the club’s busiest weeks of the season.
Granit Xhaka leaves Switzerland duty following fake certificate probe
The Swiss Football Association confirmed that Xhaka had left the national team’s training camp. The two parties agreeing it was the right call while the matter plays out. Association president Peter Knabel explained the thinking behind the decision.
“Granit Xhaka informed us about the situation last night and told us that he will address it publicly and take responsibility. We welcome Granit taking this step and facing the consequences. At the same time, we jointly concluded that it is in the team’s best interest to complete this training camp without him. Our priority now is to calm the situation. Focus entirely on the team and the upcoming challenges in the UEFA Nations League.”
Xhaka also posted his own statement on Instagram, admitting he had obtained a false certificate and apologising for the decision. He was direct about what had happened and why.
“Over the last few days, there has been a great deal of media coverage regarding a matter from my past. I would like to comment on this personally. At the time, I was personally very unsettled and had serious reservations about the Covid-19 vaccination. I felt a deep mistrust of the vaccine and was overcome by fears and uncertainty. In this state of emotional turmoil, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of seeking answers to my unresolved questions through the proper channels. Today, I can clearly see that this was not the right course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry. I take full responsibility for this decision. I am prepared to address the matter fully and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities.”
How Lucerne prosecutors traced the Arsenal era vaccination documents
According to Swiss media reports and statements from the public prosecutor’s office, the Lucerne authorities have opened criminal proceedings against Xhaka over claims that he obtained a forged Covid vaccination certificate. The Granit Xhaka Covid investigation dates back to his time at Arsenal. Aspell that came well before his summer move to Sunderland, as reported by Chronicle Live.
Xhaka’s own account fits that timeline. He has said he had genuine doubts about the vaccine and let those fears push him towards a shortcut rather than working through the proper process. That admission is now central to the case prosecutors are building.
Swiss media reports also suggest Xhaka is expected to be questioned by investigators in October 2026, though nothing beyond that has been confirmed. Further details of the Swiss investigation are still emerging, and Sunderland fans should treat the exact timeline as provisional until prosecutors say more.
Peter Knabel and Swiss FA differentiate advice from national requirements
Xhaka’s case has inevitably been compared to that of Patrick Fischer, the former Switzerland ice hockey coach who faced similar allegations. Knabel was quick to draw a line between the two.
“Granit didn’t need this vaccination certificate to participate in a major tournament or international matches. At the time, the Swiss Football Association had issued a vaccination recommendation. Not a requirement.”
That distinction matters. Where Fischer’s situation involved a certificate tied to actual eligibility rules. Xhaka’s did not carry the same weight under football’s own regulations. It doesn’t excuse the alleged forgery. It does explain why the Swiss FA has handled its statement so carefully.
Managing midfield focus through Sunderland’s European and domestic crunch
All of this lands during a demanding run for Sunderland. The club played Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League either side of their first European match in 53 years. A return to continental football covered in our piece on Sunderland’s European campaign and in our reflections on the Europa League return against AZ Alkmaar. The City game ended 5-3. A reminder of how unforgiving this stretch of fixtures has been.
Xhaka’s role in midfield has been central to how Sunderland have coped with that schedule. It sits alongside other recent talking points around him, including the reasons behind his Chelsea snub earlier this year. None of that changes what Swiss prosecutors are now examining. Sunderland have made no comment on how the investigation might affect his club commitments. For now, the club’s focus stays on results. The legal process in Switzerland takes its own course.
