Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka faces a legal inquiry in Switzerland after the Lucerne public prosecutor’s office confirmed it has opened a criminal investigation into allegations surrounding potentially falsified COVID-19 vaccination certificates. As first reported by Swiss outlet Blick, authorities are investigating whether the 33-year-old midfielder obtained a fraudulent certificate during the pandemic.
The investigation stems from police action in 2023, during which officers raided a medical practice in Lucerne to seize evidence regarding allegations that certificates were issued to individuals who had not received the corresponding vaccinations. Simon Kopp, a spokesperson for the Lucerne Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office, confirmed to SRF that proceedings have been initiated against both Xhaka and a doctor to determine “whether there has been conduct constituting a criminal offense in connection with the possible fraudulent obtaining of a false certification and/or forgery of documents.”
Xhaka is scheduled to be questioned by prosecutors in early October 2026. Representatives for the Switzerland international have firmly denied any wrongdoing. His spokesperson, Andreas Bantel, stated that Xhaka “is fully available to the authorities and will cooperate completely transparently.” Bantel added that the player holds documentation from the physician in question confirming he received his first vaccination on 25 January 2022 and his second on 11 November 2022. The lawyer for the doctor involved has similarly maintained that all procedures were conducted correctly.
Context and Career Implications
The development marks a significant unwanted distraction for Sunderland, who are navigating the early stages of their 2026/27 campaign following a seventh-placed Premier League finish last season. Xhaka, who joined the club from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2025, has been a key figure in the side’s recent progression into the UEFA Europa League. While interest from Chelsea was reported in the media during the most recent summer transfer window, Xhaka remains a fixture at the Stadium of Light.
Xhaka’s vaccination status was a topic of public debate in 2021 when he tested positive for COVID-19 while on international duty and confirmed at the time that he was unvaccinated. He later publicly stated in March 2022 that he had received a vaccination. The ongoing investigation carries potential sporting and legal ramifications, with precedents in European football involving high-profile disciplinary cases. In 2021, former Werder Bremen manager Markus Anfang resigned from his position and received a one-year ban from the DFB, alongside significant fines, after he was investigated for a forged vaccination certificate.
While the legal process in Switzerland remains ongoing, both Xhaka and the doctor under investigation enjoy the presumption of innocence. Further clarity on the potential impact of the inquiry is expected following the scheduled questioning in October.
