Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka will miss the national team’s next four Nations League matches after admitting that he used a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic.
The 33-year-old midfielder disclosed the matter on social media on Monday, saying he had avoided mandatory vaccination because of concerns and anxiety about the vaccine at the time.
“Today I clearly see that I made the wrong choice. It was a mistake. I am sorry,” Xhaka said, adding that he was cooperating with the relevant authorities.
The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office is investigating the matter, according to Swiss media reports.
The Swiss Football Association subsequently confirmed that Xhaka would not join the squad for its training camp in Belek, Turkey, which began on Monday.
The association said the decision was reached jointly with the player and was intended to allow the team to concentrate on its upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Swiss FA president Peter Knabel said the federation welcomed Xhaka’s willingness to clarify the circumstances surrounding the certificate.
“Our priority now is to calm the situation and focus entirely on the team and the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures,” Knabel said.
Switzerland will begin its campaign away to North Macedonia on Saturday before travelling to Scotland on September 29.
The team will then host Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne on October 3 and 6 respectively.
Knabel said the situation would be reassessed after the current international window, when the federation and Xhaka will discuss the next steps.
Switzerland are scheduled to face Slovenia again on November 13 before travelling to Scotland three days later.
Switzerland to play Nations League matches without Xhaka over forged Covid certificate
