Swiss football captain Granit Xhaka is facing a criminal investigation over COVID-19 vaccination certificates, with prosecutors examining whether vaccinations recorded in the documents were actually administered. The midfielder denies wrongdoing and says he will cooperate fully with investigators.
LUCERNE, Switzerland, Sept 18 (BalkanView) – Swiss national team captain Granit Xhaka is under criminal investigation in connection with COVID-19 vaccination certificates, Swiss media reported, citing the Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Simon Kopp, a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, confirmed to Swiss newspaper Blick that proceedings were underway to determine whether conduct relevant under criminal law had occurred in connection with COVID-19 certificates.
The investigation centres on suspicions that the 33-year-old footballer may have obtained vaccination certificates without receiving the vaccinations recorded in them, according to the report.
No finding of wrongdoing has been made, and Xhaka denies the allegations.
The certificates were reportedly issued by a doctor in Lucerne whose practice was searched by police in 2023, when evidence was seized.
Prosecutors are examining whether the COVID-19 vaccinations listed on Xhaka’s certificates were actually administered. He is expected to be questioned in early October, according to the report.
Xhaka’s spokesperson, Andreas Bantel, rejected the allegations and said the footballer had confirmation from his treating physician showing that he received COVID-19 vaccinations on Jan. 25 and Nov. 11, 2022.
Bantel said Xhaka would cooperate with the authorities “unconditionally and with full transparency”.
The doctor involved in the case also denies wrongdoing.
Her lawyer, Cornel Borbély, told Blick that his client had vaccinated Xhaka and that the procedures had been carried out normally.
Both Xhaka and the doctor are presumed innocent unless proven otherwise.
The investigation comes as Xhaka remains one of Switzerland’s most prominent footballers and captain of the national team.
The case is now expected to move to the next stage when prosecutors question him in early October.