Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka will miss the national team’s current international camp after admitting he acquired a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate, the Swiss Football Association (SFV) confirmed on Monday. The decision to exclude the 33-year-old midfielder was reached jointly by the player and SFV leadership following his public acknowledgment of the incident.
Official Statement and Regret
Xhaka, who plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, addressed the situation through a statement on social media. “In this agitated emotional state, I acquired a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my open questions through the intended path,” Xhaka wrote. “Today I see clearly that this path was not right. It was a mistake. I am sorry.” The veteran midfielder confirmed he is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.
Leadership Response
SFV president Peter Knaebel praised Xhaka for taking responsibility for his actions. “Granit Xhaka informed us about the situation yesterday evening and told us at the same time that he would comment publicly on it and take responsibility,” Knaebel stated. “We welcome Granit taking this step. At the same time, we came to the joint conclusion that it is in the best interest of the team to complete this gathering without him.” Knaebel emphasized that the team must maintain focus ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Team Impact and Future Steps
- Switzerland’s squad gathered in Belek, Turkiye, on Monday to prepare for UEFA Nations League matches against North Macedonia, Scotland, and Slovenia.
- Xhaka, who made his international debut in 2011, holds the record for Switzerland with 152 caps.
- The SFV has stated that it will conduct a formal reassessment of the situation regarding Xhaka once the current international window concludes.
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