Overview
- Xhaka publicly admitted on Monday that he obtained a falsified Covid-19 vaccination certificate and apologised, saying he acted from fear and mistrust rather than seeking proper medical advice.
- The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office has launched a formal criminal investigation into whether a forged certificate was obtained, and officials say Xhaka is expected to be questioned in early October.
- Lawyers for Xhaka and the Lucerne doctor linked by Swiss reports have made conflicting claims about medical records and vaccination dates, leaving the factual record contested while investigators examine documents and testimony.
- If prosecutors bring charges, Swiss law allows penalties for document forgery that can include fines or prison terms, but authorities stress the presumption of innocence and that no charges have yet been filed.
- The Swiss Football Association and Xhaka agreed he will not join the national team’s current Nations League gathering and will be reassessed after the international window, while his club situation at Sunderland has not produced disciplinary action so far.