Prosecutors open case against Xhaka. What is the Sunderland midfielder accused of?

The Lucerne Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka. The 33-year-old midfielder is suspected of having obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Swiss newspaper Blick, the investigation is linked to a doctor from Lucerne who allegedly issued vaccination certificates without administering the corresponding vaccines. In 2023, police searched her office and seized evidence. Investigators are now examining the cases of people who may have used such documents. Xhaka is among them.

The prosecutor’s office said the investigation must determine whether a criminal offence was committed in connection with the possible fraudulent acquisition of a fictitious certificate and the forgery of documents.

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Xhaka denies the allegations. According to Swiss media, the footballer is due to give evidence to prosecutors at the beginning of October. His press secretary said the player is ready to cooperate fully and transparently with the authorities. Xhaka’s treating physician has also rejected the allegations, insisting that she did administer a COVID-19 vaccination to him.

Xhaka and the doctor are not currently considered guilty. Breel Embolo was previously involved in a similar scandal, although in his case the allegations concerned the suspected falsification of test results rather than a vaccination certificate.