Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka confesses to Covid vaccine certificate fraud while playing for Arsenal – and could face JAIL as he is thrown out of Switzerland’s squad
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has been axed from the Switzerland squad after admitting to receiving a fake certificate to show he had been vaccinated against Covid-19 in 2022.
Swiss authorities are investigating the offence, which carries the potential for a large fine or imprisonment of up to five years. Xhaka, 33, was playing for Arsenal at the time of the offence.
Xhaka had tested positive for Covid in September 2022 and was forced to miss that month’s matches with Switzerland. He says he ‘deeply distrusted’ the vaccine and then obtained a vaccination certificate which was not ‘through the proper channels’.
The midfielder released a statement on Instagram this morning which read: ‘In recent days, there has been much reporting about a matter from my past. I would like to address this personally.
‘Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns at the time. I felt deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty.
Granit Xhaka, pictured playing for Sunderland this weekend, will not play for Switzerland after admitting to receiving a fake Covid vaccine certificate
The offence carries a potential large fine or imprisonment of up to five years in Switzerland
‘In this turbulent emotional state, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my open questions through the proper channels. Today, I clearly see that this was the wrong course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry.
‘I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to investigating the matter, and am fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.’
Xhaka will face questioning next month on the allegations of receiving a forged Covid certificate.
More to follow
