Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has broken his silence on the ongoing investigation in Switzerland linked to allegations of him obtaining a counterfeit Covid certificate. Following his side's 5-3 defeat to Manchester City, Xhaka stressed he wishes to steer clear of the subject and concentrate on football.
In a post-match encounter, a journalist from NZZ pressed Xhaka about the probe:
No comment. I’m playing football. Right now, that’s what matters to me.
When asked if the situation was affecting him, Xhaka responded:
Not at all. I've been through worse things.
Sunderland's head coach, Régis Le Bris, also opted not to delve into the investigation, asserting that his focus remains on football, and highlighted that Xhaka is performing admirably on the pitch.
The Lucerne authorities are assessing whether Xhaka indeed received a Covid-19 vaccination or simply acquired a certificate confirming vaccination status without actually having received the jab. The doctor who issued the document is currently under investigation for allegedly processing similar certificates.
Xhaka's representative, Andreas Bantele, indicated that the midfielder is fully cooperating with the authorities. Meanwhile, lawyer Kornel Borbeli, who represents the doctor, claims that his client genuinely vaccinated Xhaka.
The midfielder is expected to be questioned in October. While the investigation continues, Xhaka will join the Swiss national team during the upcoming international break.
