Granit Xhaka Admits to Using Fake Covid Vaccination Certificates

Granit Xhaka has confessed to obtaining coronavirus vaccination certificates without ever receiving the jab, a revelation that has triggered a criminal investigation in Switzerland and his removal from the national team’s next training camp.

The Switzerland captain, now with Sunderland, laid out his admission in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday, describing how fear and mistrust of the Covid-19 vaccine pushed him into a serious breach of the rules.

“At the time, I was personally very uncertain about the Covid-19 vaccine and had serious reservations,” Xhaka wrote. He spoke of feeling “a deep distrust” and said he was “overcome by fears and uncertainty”.

That inner turmoil, he admitted, led him down a dangerous path. “In this state of emotional turmoil, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my unanswered questions through the proper channels,” he said.

The confession landed just 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 certificates allegedly came from his doctor, who is also being investigated for issuing the documents.

The midfielder did not try to soften the admission. “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,” he wrote.

Xhaka previously contracted Covid-19 twice, in 2021 and early 2022, according to Swiss outlet Blick, underscoring the backdrop to his vaccine doubts and the eventual deception.

Once his statement went public, the repercussions from the football authorities followed quickly. The Swiss Football Federation announced that Xhaka will not join the upcoming men’s national team training camp, distancing the squad from its captain while the investigation unfolds.

For a player who wears the armband and embodies the national side’s public face, the next steps — on and off the pitch — will be watched very closely.