Sunderland's Granit Xhaka could face jail after admitting he obtained a fake Covid vaccination certificate
From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026 · last updated 22 September 2026.
Granit Xhaka has confessed to obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate, saying he was "gripped by fear and uncertainty" about the vaccine at the time. The 33-year-old Sunderland midfielder has been dropped from the Switzerland squad for their upcoming fixtures against Scotland, North Macedonia and Slovenia. The Lucerne Cantonal Prosecutor's Office confirmed it is investigating whether criminal charges can be brought, with penalties in Switzerland ranging from a fine to up to five years in prison. Xhaka says he is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
The scandal broke after a doctor in Lucerne came under investigation for allegedly producing fabricated certificates for the unvaccinated.
Swiss FA president Peter Knabel welcomed Xhaka 'taking this step and facing the issue head-on' but confirmed he would be left out of the squad.
Xhaka admitted the certificate was obtained 'instead of clarifying my open questions through the proper channels' and said: 'It was a mistake. I am sorry.'