Xhaka admits obtaining fake Covid jab certificate as investigation launched

Granit Xhaka has admitted obtaining a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate after an investigation was launched in Switzerland.

The Sunderland captain is being investigated by the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office, who are looking into allegations surrounding the Covid vaccine.

It is alleged that the 33-year-old obtained a fake coronavirus vaccination certificate from a Swiss doctor whose practice was searched by police in 2023. Authorities allege that the doctor in question forged certificates for some of her clients, rather than actually vaccinating them.

“In recent days, there has been much reporting about a matter from my past. I would like to address this personally," Xhaka wrote in a statement on Instagram.

"Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns at the time. I felt a deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty.

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“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 approach. 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.”

Speaking to Swiss newspaper Blick, Simon Kopp, a spokesperson for the Lucerne Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed the investigation against Xhaka.

“The aim is to clarify whether there has been conduct relevant under criminal law in connection with the possible fraudulent obtaining of a false certification and/or document forgery,” he said.

Meanwhile, Andreas Bantel, a spokesperson for the former Arsenal star, said he had been vaccinated against Covid. “Granit Xhaka is fully cooperating with the authorities and is completely transparent," he said.

"He has confirmation from his doctor that he was vaccinated against Covid-19 for the first time on January 25, 2022, and for the second time on November 11, 2022.”

A lawyer for the doctor at the centre of the investigation confirmed that she had vaccinated Xhaka.

The central midfielder is Switzerland's most-capped player of all time, boasting 152 appearances for his country. He spent seven years playing for Arsenal - where he was during the Covid-19 pandemic - before leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023.