Switzerland's Record Cap Holder Steps Back From Camp
Granit Xhaka, Switzerland's most-capped footballer of all time, has been withdrawn from the national squad and placed under criminal investigation after publicly admitting he obtained a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate. [1] The disclosure, made in a statement posted on social media on Monday, has cast a shadow over the Swiss national team just days before a series of UEFA Nations League fixtures. [2]
The 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder — who holds the Swiss record of 152 international appearances — said he acquired the certificate in a moment of personal doubt about the vaccine. [1] "In this troubled state of mind I acquired a vaccine certificate, instead of clarifying my unanswered questions in the proper way," Xhaka wrote. "Today I see clearly, that this way was not correct. It was a mistake. I'm sorry." [2]
What Xhaka Admitted and When
According to BBC World, the certificate is alleged to have been obtained in 2022, at a time when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal and when such documentation was required in Switzerland for access to certain venues, activities, and international travel. [2] The Swiss office of public health confirmed that while no blanket legal obligation existed to hold such a certificate, it was effectively a gateway to significant areas of public life until spring 2022, after which it continued to be issued primarily for travel abroad. [2]
Xhaka's statement acknowledged the emotional context behind his decision, describing a state of "mistrust" toward the vaccine and saying he had been "influenced by worries and uncertainty." [2] He added that he was cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and taking responsibility for his actions. [1]
Criminal Investigation Underway in Lucerne
The public prosecutor's office in the city of Lucerne confirmed it has opened an investigation to determine whether any criminal behaviour took place in the obtaining of a "false or forged" certificate. [2] The precise legal consequences Xhaka could face remain unclear at this stage, but a precedent exists in Swiss law that gives some indication of the potential stakes.
In 2023, Patrick Fischer — then coach of the Swiss men's national ice hockey team — was found guilty of using a fake Covid-19 certificate to work at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. [2] Fischer was fined 38,000 Swiss francs by a criminal court, was subsequently sacked from his coaching role earlier this year, and was banned for four years by the International Ice Hockey Federation earlier this month. [2] Whether football's governing bodies would impose additional sanctions on Xhaka beyond any criminal penalty is not yet known.
A Joint Decision to Step Back
The Swiss Football Association (SFV) moved quickly once Xhaka informed leadership of the situation. SFV president Peter Knaebel said the player had contacted the association the previous evening and indicated he intended to go public and accept responsibility. [1]
"We welcome Granit taking this step," Knaebel said. "At the same time, we came to the joint conclusion that it is in the best interest of the team to complete this gathering without him." [1]
The SFV framed the withdrawal as a mutual decision between the player and management, with the association stating it will reassess Xhaka's position with the squad after the current international window concludes. [1] Switzerland have gathered in Belek, Türkiye, to prepare for away matches against North Macedonia and Scotland on September 26 and 29, followed by home fixtures against Slovenia and North Macedonia in early October. [1][2]
Club Boss Stays Out of It
At club level, Sunderland manager Regis le Bris declined to address the allegations directly following his side's defeat at Manchester City on Sunday. "It is not my area to speak about those problems or situations," le Bris said. "My area is football. About football, he is really good." [2]
The comments reflect the awkward position club managers occupy when international controversies engulf their players, particularly when legal proceedings are active.
A Career Milestone Overshadowed
The timing is particularly striking given the trajectory of Xhaka's international career. He made his debut for Switzerland in 2011 and has since become the country's all-time record appearance holder. [1] He captained the side at the 2026 World Cup earlier this year, where Switzerland were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual runners-up Argentina. [2]
The certificate in question dates from a period when Xhaka was still at Arsenal, long before his move to Sunderland in the Premier League. The gap between the alleged act and its public disclosure raises questions that the Lucerne investigation will likely seek to answer — including how the matter came to light and what form the forged documentation took.
What to Watch Next
The immediate focus will be on the Lucerne prosecutor's investigation and whether charges are formally brought against Xhaka. The SFV has said it will hold further discussions about his future with the squad after the October international window closes, meaning his captaincy and place in the team remain in an official state of review. [1][2] Any ruling by Swiss football or UEFA authorities — and whether FIFA takes an interest — could significantly shape the final chapter of one of Swiss football's most decorated careers.