Sunderland's Granit Xhaka, who also serves as captain of the Swiss national team, has found himself at the centre of an investigation concerning possible fraudulent activity regarding Covid-19 vaccination certificates. The midfielder has firmly rejected the claims and is fully cooperating with the authorities.
According to Blick, the Lucerne prosecutor's office is examining whether Xhaka actually received the vaccine or was merely issued a certificate without undergoing the vaccination. The document in question was provided by a doctor whose practice came under scrutiny earlier in 2023. During a police raid, materials linked to the alleged issuance of fake certificates to several clients were confiscated.
Lucerne public prosecutor Simon Kopp confirmed the investigation is underway:
The aim is to establish whether actions falling under criminal responsibility occurred in connection with the possible fraudulent acquisition of a false certificate and/or document forgery.
Xhaka's representative, Andreas Bantel, has rejected all suspicions, asserting that the player possesses proof of his vaccinations:
Granit Xhaka is completely cooperating with the authorities and remains fully transparent. He has documentation from the doctor confirming that he received his first Covid-19 vaccine on January 25, 2022, and the second on November 11, 2022.
The lawyer for the doctor, Kornel Borbeli, also told Blick that his client has stated she did indeed administer Xhaka's vaccinations.
It is expected that Xhaka will be questioned as part of the investigation in early October. Currently, the inquiry focuses on the circumstances surrounding the receipt of the certificate, rather than any confirmed forgery.
The Swiss Football Association has declined to comment on the matter.
