{
  "id": 8901395,
  "title": "Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admits error in fake vaccination case, skips Nations League games",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/switzerland-captain-granit-xhaka-admits-error-in-fake-vaccination",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T10:38:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/soccer/2026/09/21/switzerland-captain-granit-xhaka-admits-error-in-fake-vaccination-case-skips-nations-league-games"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Switzerland's captain Granit Xhaka admitted he made a mistake and withdrew from the national team squad on Monday, following scrutiny over alleged use of fake vaccination documents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Xhaka, 33, is suspected of obtaining a fake vaccination certificate years ago from a doctor under investigation by prosecutors in Lucerne, according to Swiss media. \"It was a mistake. I am sorry,\" Xhaka stated on his Instagram account, adding that he would cooperate with authorities. As the most capped player for Switzerland with 152 games, Xhaka will not join the squad for four upcoming Nations League matches. The Swiss soccer federation president, Peter Knäbel, welcomed Xhaka's decision to take responsibility and clarified that the team decided to play these matches without him in the best interest of the team. Switzerland will face North Macedonia and Scotland before hosting Slovenia and North Macedonia in their Nations League second-tier group matches.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Granit Xhaka admits mistake in using fake vaccination documents",
    "Xhaka withdraws from four upcoming Nations League matches",
    "Switzerland plays matches without Xhaka for team's best interest"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka admits error in fake vaccination case, skips Nations League games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/switzerland-captain-granit-xhaka-admits-error-in-fake-vaccination-8901832",
        "published": "2026-09-21T10:38:11.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}