Granit Xhaka removed from Switzerland squad following Covid certificate investigation
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been left out of the Switzerland squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures. The decision follows an investigation into a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate that Xhaka obtained back in 2022.
Swiss Football Association president Peter Knäbel confirmed that Xhaka told him personally on Sunday.
“On Sunday, Granit Xhaka informed me that he had obtained a vaccination certificate in 2022 without having been vaccinated himself.”
Knäbel explained that Xhaka wanted to make the matter public himself before it broke elsewhere.
“He also told us that he would make this public on Monday and take full responsibility for it. We then jointly decided that he would skip this training camp so that the team could fully focus on the Nations League campaign.”
Prosecutor launches inquiry as Granit Xhaka admits 2022 certificate mistake
The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office has opened a criminal investigation into how the certificate was obtained. A spokesperson set out the scope of the inquiry.
“The aim is to clarify whether there has been conduct relevant under criminal law in connection with the possible fraudulent obtaining of a false certification and/or document forgery.”
Xhaka addressed the matter directly in a statement of his own.
“In recent days, there has been much reporting about a matter from my past. I would like to address this personally.”
He explained his state of mind in 2022, when he tested positive for Covid-19 while at Arsenal and missed a month of football.
“Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns at the time. I felt deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty.”
Xhaka admitted he made the wrong choice at the time.
“In this turbulent emotional state, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my open questions through the proper channels. Today, I clearly see that this was the wrong course of action.”
He apologised and confirmed he is cooperating fully with investigators.
“It was a mistake. I am sorry. I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to investigating the matter, and am fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.”
Taulant Xhaka defends brother’s record following national team exclusion
Granit Xhaka’s brother, Taulant, spoke out in support on social media shortly after the news broke. Taulant, a former Switzerland international himself, posted a message on Instagram defending his brother’s contribution to the national team.
“Everyone makes mistakes. Nobody’s perfect! But please never forget one thing: what Granit Xhaka, my brother, has done for Switzerland all these years. How much heart, passion, and pride he has shown for this country and this jersey.”
Taulant went on to praise his brother for taking ownership of the situation.
“What matters is not that you never make mistakes, but that you own up to them, acknowledge them, and learn from them. Brother, I’m proud of you. I stood by you, I stand by you, and I will always stand by you – come what may. Family is family. In good times and in bad.”
Upcoming timeline and Nations League fixtures without Xhaka
Knäbel stressed that the Swiss FA wanted clarity before deciding how to handle the situation.
“This was also very important to Granit. This is an important case for us. We’re talking about Switzerland’s record-holding national player. It was important for us to know the facts. Granit provided them to us, also with the intention of communicating clearly. This allowed us to define our measures together. The timing was incredibly stressful. But knowing each other is always an advantage.”
Xhaka will now miss Switzerland’s Nations League training camp and the fixtures that follow, with no return date confirmed by the federation. Sunderland supporters have followed his recent form closely, from our earlier report on the club’s European campaign to his thoughts on Europa League return.
The midfielder has also spoken about his commitment to Sunderland long-term, having turned down a move away from the club. His situation with the national team is separate from his club career, where he continues to be a regular starter under the current setup.
The investigation by the Lucerne prosecutor’s office remains ongoing, as reported by Chronicle Live, and no charges have been brought against Xhaka at this stage.
