Granit Xhaka is under investigation by Swiss prosecutors over allegations he obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The public prosecutor’s office in Lucerne has confirmed the Granit Xhaka investigation is under way, centred on a certificate it describes as “false or forged”. The Sunderland midfielder has since withdrawn from the Switzerland squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Granit Xhaka Subject to Investigation in Switzerland
Xhaka has been a regular fixture in Regis Le Bris’s midfield since his move to Sunderland, and the news of the inquiry has landed at a point when the club’s European progress has drawn wider attention, as set out in our earlier report.
The allegation centres on a Covid-19 vaccine certificate obtained during the pandemic. Swiss authorities have not released further specifics of the case. Sunderland have made no formal statement on the legal process itself.
The Swiss Football Association acted quickly once the matter became public, removing Xhaka from national team duty for the next round of Nations League matches while the investigation continues. That decision was taken directly in response to his own statement rather than any club intervention.
For Sunderland supporters, the case sits apart from Xhaka’s football contribution this season, but it is the first time a legal matter involving one of the club’s senior players has reached this stage of official confirmation.
Lucerne Prosecutor Confirms Inquiry and Xhaka Issues Statement
The public prosecutor’s office in Lucerne confirmed directly that the case concerns a certificate it regards as “false or forged”. Further detail on the scope of the inquiry was set out in a BBC Sport report, which first carried the prosecutor’s confirmation.
Xhaka addressed the allegations himself on Monday, posting a statement on social media. He explained his state of mind at the time, writing: “In this troubled state of mind I acquired a vaccine certificate, instead of clarifying my unanswered questions in the proper way.”
He went on to accept the decision was wrong. “Today I see clearly. This way was not correct. It was a mistake. I’m sorry,” Xhaka said.
He closed his statement by pledging full cooperation with the authorities: “I take responsibility for this decision. I will engage with the process of establishing the facts and fully co-operate with the relevant authorities.” The statement was the fullest public account he has given of the matter since it emerged.
Regis Le Bris Reacts Following Manchester City Match
Le Bris was asked about the situation after Sunderland’s defeat away to Manchester City. He was clear that legal matters fell outside his role. “It is not my area to speak about those problems or situations,” he said.
The manager instead kept his answer focused on Xhaka’s football. “My area is football. About football, he is really good,” Le Bris said. Aview shared by supporters who have watched the midfielder settle quickly into the side.
The brevity of Le Bris’s response reflected a deliberate choice to separate the legal process from team matters. He offered no further comment on the case and moved straight to questions about the performance at the Etihad Stadium.
Xhaka’s form has been a talking point since the summer, including performances discussing the Europa League return earlier this month, and he has previously spoken publicly about his long-term commitment to Sunderland after turning down other clubs.
Legal Proceedings and Nations League Timeline
The Swiss Football Association confirmed Xhaka’s withdrawal from the squad for the upcoming Nations League matches immediately after his Monday statement. No replacement announcement has changed that position since.
Prosecutors in Lucerne have not set out a timescale for their investigation. No charges have been announced. Sunderland have not commented on the legal process itself, leaving the matter with the Swiss authorities.
The club’s own focus, in Le Bris’s words, remains on what Xhaka offers on the pitch rather than on speculation about how the case might unfold. Nothing in the prosecutor’s confirmation or Xhaka’s statement points to a firm date for the next stage of proceedings.
For now, Le Bris continues to pick Xhaka on football terms alone. The manager’s public comments limited strictly to performance on the pitch while the investigation in Switzerland runs its course.
