G. Xhaka – troubles due to a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate

2026-09-22 10:58 © IMAGO/Every Second Media

"Sunderland” team and Switzerland national team footballer Granit Xhaka – troubles due to a forged coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination certificate.

BBC reports that in 2022 the footballer used a forged vaccination certificate to travel abroad, although in fact G. Xhaka did not have the COVID-19 vaccine.

The footballer himself admitted his guilt on his social media account.

"At that time I had many doubts about COVID-19 vaccines. I made an inadequate decision and obtained a forged vaccination certificate instead of communicating my doubts to the relevant authorities.

Today I fully realize that my actions were wrong, for which I want to apologize.

I will take full responsibility and penalty for my actions. I am currently cooperating with the relevant authorities to make the investigation as smooth as possible,” wrote G. Xhaka.

For this reason, the footballer also left the Switzerland national team camp.

Interestingly, in 2023, the coach of the Switzerland ice hockey team Patrick Fischer was punished for the same offense, as he used a forged vaccination certificate to work at the 2022 Olympic Games.

P. Fischer was fined over 40 thousand euros, and very recently he also received a four-year ban from the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF).