Xhaka investigated in Switzerland over COVID certificate — BBC News
In Switzerland, the Lucerne city prosecutor's office is investigating whether the captain of the country's national football team, Granit Xhaka, may have obtained a false or forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate. As BBC News reports, investigators are determining whether a criminal offence was committed in obtaining the document.
According to the prosecutor's office, the case concerns a certificate that the footballer allegedly obtained in 2022. At the time, Xhaka played for London's Arsenal, and he is now a Sunderland midfielder.
The footballer's statement
In a social media statement, Xhaka said that he did not trust the vaccine and was affected by anxiety and uncertainty. According to him, in that state, he obtained a certificate instead of properly clarifying his questions about vaccination.
The footballer called the act a mistake, apologised and said that he takes responsibility for the decision. He also said he was ready to cooperate with the competent authorities to establish the circumstances.
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Withdrawal from the national team
Switzerland's Federal Office of Public Health noted that there was no general legal obligation to have a COVID certificate in the country. At the same time, it was required for access to certain events, establishments and travel, so the participation of people without such a document was restricted. These measures were in force until spring 2022, and later certificates were mainly issued to meet requirements for travel abroad.
The Swiss Football Association said that Xhaka left the national team's camp before Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia and Slovenia. The decision was made jointly by the footballer and the team's management, and his future with the national team will be discussed after the international break.
Xhaka holds Switzerland's national team record for appearances, with 152. Sunderland head coach Régis Le Bris declined to comment on the suspicions after the team's defeat to Manchester City, saying that football is his area of responsibility.
