Granit Xhaka Admits to Fake Covid Vaccination Certificates

Granit Xhaka has publicly confessed to obtaining coronavirus vaccination certificates without ever receiving the jab, a revelation that has triggered a criminal investigation in Switzerland and cost him his place at the next national team camp.

The Switzerland captain, currently with Sunderland, laid out his version of events in a lengthy Instagram statement on Monday, saying he was gripped by fear and mistrust when vaccines were rolled out.

“At the time, I was personally very uncertain about the Covid-19 vaccine and had serious reservations,” Xhaka wrote, describing how he felt “a deep distrust” and was “overcome by fears and uncertainty”.

That anxiety, he admitted, pushed him into a serious breach of the rules.

“In this state of emotional turmoil, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my unanswered questions through the proper channels,” he said.

The admission comes days after police in Lucerne confirmed that Xhaka is under criminal investigation on suspicion of obtaining fake coronavirus vaccination certificates. Local media reports say the documents came from his doctor, who is also being investigated for allegedly issuing the false certificates.

The 31-year-old did not attempt to soften the gravity of his actions in his statement.

“Today, I clearly see that this was not the right path to take. It was a mistake. I’m sorry. I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to addressing the facts of the matter, and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities,” Xhaka said.

Swiss newspaper Blick reported that Xhaka contracted coronavirus in 2021 and again in early 2022, during a period when vaccine rules and health protocols were at their strictest in elite sport.

The fallout was immediate. After his confession, the Swiss Football Federation announced that Xhaka will not take part in the upcoming men’s national team training camp, distancing the national setup from its own captain while the legal process unfolds.

For a player who has worn the armband and fronted Switzerland’s modern era on the international stage, the next time he leads his country out is no longer a simple matter of form and fitness, but of trust.