# Xhaka admits to fake Covid certificate in 2022

> Sunderland captain confesses to obtaining fraudulent vaccination document while at Arsenal, faces Swiss investigation.
- Title: Xhaka admits to fake Covid certificate in 2022 · the Guardian
- Summary: Sunderland captain confesses to obtaining fraudulent vaccination document while at Arsenal, faces Swiss investigation. Granit Xhaka admitted to using a fake…
- Keywords: granit xhaka, sunderland, arsenal, switzerland, covid-19 vaccination, fake certificate, criminal investigation, lucerne prosecutor, nations league, vaccine hesitancy, sports, Xhaka
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/21/granit-xhaka-admits-receiving-fake-covid-vaccination-certificate
- Published: 2026-09-21T11:46:02+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: granit xhaka, sunderland, arsenal, switzerland, covid-19 vaccination, fake certificate, criminal investigation, lucerne prosecutor, nations league, vaccine hesitancy, sports
## Xhaka admits fake vaccine certificate
The Sunderland and Switzerland captain obtained a fraudulent Covid vaccination certificate in 2022 while playing for Arsenal. He has apologized and called it a mistake.

> It was a mistake. I am sorry. I take responsibility for this decision.
## Vaccine hesitancy drove the decision
Xhaka said he had serious concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine and felt deep distrust. Instead of seeking clarification, he obtained a fake certificate in an emotionally turbulent state.

> I felt deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty.
## Swiss prosecutor investigating doctor
Xhaka will be questioned by the prosecutor's office in Lucerne next week. A doctor in the Swiss city is under investigation for allegedly issuing a series of false Covid certificates during the pandemic.
## Potential criminal charges and penalties
If charged, Xhaka could face a heavy fine or theoretically a five-year prison sentence. However, imprisonment is understood to be extremely unlikely.
## Withdrawn from Nations League matches
Xhaka has been removed from Switzerland's squad for four upcoming Nations League matches against North Macedonia, Scotland, Slovenia, and North Macedonia. The Swiss FA said it was in the team's interests to complete the camp without him.

> We jointly concluded that it is in the team's interests to complete the entire camp without him.
## Arsenal connection, Sunderland now
Xhaka was with Arsenal when he obtained the certificate in 2022. He later joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 and arrived at Sunderland two years later. Sunderland declined to comment on the matter.
## Key takeaway

Granit Xhaka admitted to using a fake Covid vaccination certificate in 2022 due to vaccine hesitancy, and now faces potential criminal charges in Switzerland while being withdrawn from international duty.