Swiss captain Xhaka sidelined over fake COVID certificate

Swiss football captain Granit Xhaka will miss the upcoming international camp due to his admission of possessing a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate, according to the Swiss Football Association (SFV). Xhaka, 33, made this revelation in a public statement, expressing regret for his actions and acknowledging that he should have sought clarification through the proper channels.

The incident occurred while Xhaka was participating in the international window. The SFV and Xhaka jointly decided that his presence in the camp would be detrimental to team morale and cohesion. The midfielder, who holds the record for most appearances for Switzerland with 152 caps, is currently playing for Premier League side Sunderland.

He informed the SFV of his situation and agreed to take responsibility for his actions. SFV President Peter Knaebel commended Xhaka's willingness to accept responsibility, but the decision was ultimately made to exclude him from the international camp to promote a calm atmosphere ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixtures. Switzerland's team will gather in Belek, Turkey, to prepare for matches against North Macedonia and Scotland, followed by home games against Slovenia and North Macedonia.

The SFV announced that they would reassess Xhaka's involvement after the conclusion of the international window.