Xhaka Withdraws From Switzerland Squad After Admitting Forged Covid Vaccine Certificate

Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has publicly admitted to forging a Covid-19 vaccine certificate and pulled out of the Switzerland national team squad. No sanctions have been disclosed by the club or the Swiss FA at the time of reporting.

Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has publicly admitted to forging a Covid-19 vaccine certificate and withdrawn from the Switzerland national team squad, according to a breaking report.

The admission is a significant disciplinary and reputational blow for the experienced midfielder, who has captained Switzerland in recent years. The Swiss Football Association confirmed his immediate removal from the squad for the upcoming international window, with no replacement named.

No details of potential sanctions from Sunderland, the Swiss Football Association, or Swiss legal authorities have been disclosed at the time of reporting, and what any potential action might look like — sporting, criminal or contractual — has not been set out. The incident is likely to attract legal scrutiny, as document forgery is a criminal offence under Swiss law.

The case is also likely to affect Xhaka's standing at international level, where he has been a central figure for the national team in recent years, including at major tournaments. Xhaka has featured regularly for Sunderland since the club's return to the Premier League this season, and his withdrawal leaves Sunderland facing a wait over his availability for upcoming domestic fixtures, with the international break now complicating any internal response from the club before their next Premier League fixture.

Sunderland have not publicly commented on the matter.