Xhaka confesses to forging Covid certificate, withdraws from Switzerland squad
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has confessed to using a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic to avoid mandatory vaccination.
The 33-year-old midfielder made the admission on his social media channels on Monday, saying he had presented the fake certificate because of his concerns about the vaccine.
Xhaka said: “At the time, I was very worried about the issue of Covid-19 vaccination… I felt deep mistrust regarding the vaccine and was gripped by anxiety and doubt.
“Today I clearly see that I made the wrong choice. It was a mistake. I am sorry.”
He added that he was “cooperating fully with the relevant authorities”.
The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office is investigating the matter, according to Swiss media.
The Swiss Football Association also announced that Xhaka would not join the national team for a training camp in Belek, Turkey, beginning on Monday.
The association said: “Following his personal statement regarding his vaccination status, Granit Xhaka will not participate in the men’s national team’s upcoming gathering.”
Swiss FA president Peter Knabel said the governing body welcomed Xhaka’s decision to address the matter.
Knabel said: “We welcome the fact that Granit is taking this step and is prepared to fully clarify the situation.
“At the same time, we mutually concluded that it was in the team’s best interest to proceed with this gathering without him.
“Our priority now is to calm the situation and focus entirely on the team and the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.”
Switzerland will begin their Nations League campaign away to North Macedonia on Saturday before travelling to face Scotland on September 29.
The Swiss will then host Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne on October 3 and 6 respectively.
Knabel said the situation would be reviewed after the international window.
He said: “At the end of this international window we will reassess the situation with Granit and discuss the next steps.”
Switzerland are subsequently scheduled to face Slovenia on November 13 and Scotland on November 16 as part of the Nations League.
