Granit Xhaka Admits to Using Fake Covid Vaccination Certificates

Granit Xhaka has publicly admitted obtaining Covid-19 vaccination certificates without ever being vaccinated, a confession that has triggered a criminal investigation in Switzerland and cost him his place in the next national team camp.

The Switzerland captain addressed the issue in a lengthy Instagram post on Monday, revealing how fear and distrust of the vaccine led him down a path he now calls a “mistake”.

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

That anxiety, he said, pushed him to take a decision that now sits at the heart of a criminal probe.

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

Police in Lucerne confirmed last week that the Sunderland midfielder is under investigation on suspicion of obtaining fake coronavirus vaccination certificates. According to reports in Swiss media, the certificates allegedly came from his doctor, who is also being investigated for issuing the documents.

The 31-year-old 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,” he said. “I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to addressing the facts of the matter, and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities.”

Swiss newspaper Blick reported that Xhaka contracted coronavirus in 2021 and again in early 2022, during a period when vaccination status and health protocols dominated football’s daily routine.

His confession has already had consequences on the pitch. The Swiss Football Federation announced that Xhaka will not take part in the upcoming men’s national team training camp, a significant move given his status as captain and long-standing leader of the side.

For a player who has built a career on combative honesty in midfield, the next battle will unfold not on the pitch, but in the courts and corridors of Swiss football’s institutions.