Prosecutors open criminal case against Granit Xhaka over forged COVID vaccine documents

Switzerland’s captain and Sunderland’s midfield lynchpin — is facing criminal proceedings in his home country over allegations that he obtained a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate, in a case that has sent shockwaves through European football, according to the Times of India, and Yahoo Sports.

The Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed it has opened formal criminal proceedings against Xhaka following allegations that he obtained false COVID-19 documentation or forged documents through a doctor based in the canton of Lucerne. The probe traces its origins to a 2023 police raid on the doctor’s office, during which patient and client evidence was seized. The attending doctor is also under investigation and denies any wrongdoing.

Xhaka’s spokesperson, Andreas Bantel, mounted an immediate defence, stating that the former Arsenal captain holds written confirmation from his treating physician proving he received legitimate COVID-19 vaccinations on January 25 and November 11, 2022. “Granit Xhaka denies all allegations and maintains the presumption of innocence,” Bantel said, emphasising that the player is cooperating fully and transparently with Swiss authorities.

Xhaka is expected to meet formally with prosecutors in early October 2026 to give a statement, according to Goal.com. The case is one of several stemming from the 2023 Lucerne raid, which targeted a wider network of alleged COVID certificate fraud during the pandemic period. No charges have been formally filed and criminal proceedings do not presuppose guilt under Swiss law.