Granit Xhaka issues statement on COVID certificate allegations
Granit Xhaka said he obtained a vaccination certificate without being vaccinated and is cooperating with prosecutors as they examine possible document forgery.
- On Monday, 33-year-old Switzerland star Granit Xhaka withdrew from the national squad for upcoming international fixtures amid an investigation into his admission that he obtained a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
- The former Arsenal midfielder posted a statement on social media Monday admitting he "obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying" his concerns, citing "deep distrust" regarding the COVID-19 vaccine at the time.
- A spokesperson for the Lucerne Cantonal Prosecutor's Office said the probe aims to clarify if Xhaka's actions constitute document forgery, which carries potential penalties of up to five years in prison in Switzerland.
- Swiss Football Association president Peter Knabel stated the organization "jointly concluded that it is in the team's best interest to complete this training camp without him," with reassessment planned after the international window.
- Xhaka is scheduled to appear before the public prosecutor in early October to answer questions, as the investigation follows a broader probe into a Lucerne doctor suspected of issuing falsified COVID-19 certificates.
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96 Articles
Switzerland national football team captain Granit Xhaka has been officially dropped from the squad for the upcoming international matches. The drastic measure was prompted by a scandal and subsequent investigation into the use of a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The experienced midfielder is under investigation by the Lucerne prosecutor's office. The investigation is targeting a doctor accused of systematically issuing irregular medical …
Aimed at a procedure of the Lucerne Public Prosecutor's Office for a false vaccination certificate, Granit Xhaka will not participate in the meetings of the Nati in the League of Nations. The Swiss captain acknowledged the facts on Instagram and apologized.
The Switzerland captain will miss the first four matches of the Nations League, and his further national team status will be decided after the October cycle.
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