BREAKING: Granit Xhaka Faces Potential Prison Sentence in Swiss COVID Certificate Investigation
Granit Xhaka has found himself at the centre of a legal controversy in Switzerland after authorities opened proceedings over a COVID-19 vaccination certificate that he allegedly obtained without actually receiving the corresponding vaccination. The case has attracted significant attention because of Xhaka’s status as Switzerland’s national-team captain and one of the country’s most prominent footballers.
According to reporting by Blick, the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office opened proceedings against Xhaka and a Lucerne doctor in connection with allegedly falsified COVID certificates. The investigation initially focused on whether Xhaka had obtained documentation stating that he had been vaccinated even though the vaccination may not have taken place. �
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The potential legal consequences have generated headlines across Europe. Swiss criminal-law expert André Kuhn told Blick that document forgery can, depending on the circumstances and a conviction, carry a monetary penalty or a prison sentence of up to five years. Importantly, this is the maximum statutory penalty associated with the offence, not a sentence that has been imposed on Xhaka. The investigation remains a legal process, and the precise consequences, if any, would depend on the findings of the authorities and courts. �
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The situation took another dramatic turn when Xhaka publicly acknowledged that he had acquired a COVID vaccination confirmation in 2022. In a statement reported by Blick, he described the decision as a mistake, accepted responsibility and said that he would cooperate fully with the authorities. Following the admission, he also stayed away from Switzerland’s national-team gathering for the upcoming Nations League matches. �
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There are also conflicting accounts surrounding the medical documentation. The doctor connected to the case has maintained that she vaccinated Xhaka correctly and has rejected the suggestion that the certificate was simply created without an actual vaccination. Blick reported that she claims the relevant vaccination did take place, creating an important point of dispute that investigators will have to examine. �
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Earlier reporting had also raised questions about the dates recorded on Xhaka’s vaccination certificate. His representative initially said that vaccinations had taken place on January 25 and November 11, 2022, but later corrected the second date to November 8. These discrepancies became part of the wider investigation into the authenticity and circumstances surrounding the certificate. �
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For Xhaka, the matter extends beyond the courtroom. He is an established leader of the Swiss national team, and the controversy has already affected his international commitments. The Swiss Football Association confirmed that he would not participate in the current national-team gathering following his admission. His future role with the national side could therefore remain a subject of discussion while the legal proceedings continue. �
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At this stage, however, it is important not to confuse a possible legal maximum with an actual punishment. Xhaka has not been sentenced to five years in prison. The authorities are still dealing with the circumstances of the case, and the legal process will determine what consequences, if any, follow.
What began as allegations surrounding a COVID certificate has therefore developed into a significant legal and sporting issue for the Swiss midfielder. With further proceedings expected, attention will now focus on the evidence, the statements of those involved and the eventual decision of the Swiss authorities. �
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