{
  "id": 8919583,
  "title": "Forged Covid vaccine certificate lands Granit Xhaka in trouble",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/forged-covid-vaccine-certificate-lands-granit-xhaka-in-trouble",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T10:50:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/football/forged-covid-vaccine-certificate-lands-granit-xhaka-in-trouble-1.500682372"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Switzerland captain and national team skipper Granit Xhaka has found himself in trouble after admitting to using a forged Covid vaccine certificate during the pandemic. The 33-year-old midfielder presented the fraudulent document to circumvent mandatory vaccination requirements. Following his admission on social media, Xhaka expressed deep mistrust and anxiety regarding the vaccine, acknowledging that his decision was a mistake and that he was sorry for his actions. He is currently cooperating fully with the relevant authorities as Swiss media report on the matter.\n\nThe Swiss Football Association announced that Xhaka will not join the national team for their training camp in Belek, Turkey, starting Monday. This decision was made in agreement with the player, as they believe it to be in the team's best interest to proceed without him. Swiss FA president Peter Knabel emphasized the club's priority of calming the situation and focusing on the team and upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. Switzerland's first match will be away to North Macedonia on Saturday, September 24, followed by a trip to face Scotland on September 29. Subsequent matches include games against Slovenia on October 3 and 6, and North Macedonia on October 13 and November 16. The Swiss Football Association will reassess the situation with Xhaka at the end of the international window and discuss the next steps.",
  "summary": "As captain for your club and the national side, you are expected to lead by example. But that’s not what transpired with Switzerland and Sunderland skipper Granit Xhaka, who admitted on Monday that he had used a forged Covid vaccine certificate during the pandemic. As a result, Switzerland will have to play their next four Nations League matches without their influential player. The 33-year-old…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "World : Xhaka Says He Obtained Vaccination Certificates Without Getting Covid Shot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/world-xhaka-says-he-obtained-vaccination-certificates-without-getting",
        "published": "2026-09-21T09:49:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Swiss captain Xhaka admits obtaining Covid vaccination certificates without jab",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/swiss-captain-xhaka-admits-obtaining-covid-vaccination-certificates",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:09:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Swiss captain Xhaka sidelined over fake COVID certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/swiss-captain-xhaka-sidelined-over-fake-covid-certificate-8912710",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:29:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Swiss captain Xhaka sidelined over fake COVID certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/swiss-captain-xhaka-sidelined-over-fake-covid-certificate",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:31:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Swiss captain Xhaka sidelined over fake COVID certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/swiss-captain-xhaka-sidelined-over-fake-covid-certificate-8914693",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:55:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Xhaka under investigation over Covid-19 certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/xhaka-under-investigation-over-covid-19-certificate",
        "published": "2026-09-21T12:21:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Switzerland to play without Xhaka over fake Covid certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/switzerland-to-play-without-xhaka-over-fake-covid-certificate",
        "published": "2026-09-21T13:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Switzerland to play without Xhaka over fake Covid certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/switzerland-to-play-without-xhaka-over-fake-covid-certificate-8932375",
        "published": "2026-09-21T13:36:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}