Granit Jab-a - Sunderland Star Faces MEGA Trouble After Fake COVID Fiasco

Xhaka-Delic - Sunderland Star May Face Ban

Sunderland star Granit Xhaka has been removed from Switzerland's squad for this international break after admitting to receiving a fake COVID vaccination certificate in 2022.

The Black Cats captain, who played for Arsenal at the time, has apologised for his "mistake" and will not play a part in Switzerland's four upcoming Nations League fixtures.

Xhaka is now set for a prosecutor's probe in Lucerne next week whilst they decide if any criminal proceedings will be conducted regarding the alleged use of a series of false COVID vaccine certificates by a doctor based in the Swiss city during the pandemic. The doctor was first investigated in 2023 and had denied the allegations.

Xhaka Apologises After Vaccine Cock-Up

In a statement issued via Instagram, Xhaka acknowledged he had decided not to use a vaccine against the virus that famously ravaged the world across 2019 and 2020. “In recent days there has been much reporting about a matter from my past. I would like to address this personally,” he wrote. “At the time, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns regarding the Covid-19 vaccination. I felt deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty.

“In this turbulent emotional state, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my open questions through the proper channels. Today I clearly see this was not the right course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry. I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to investigating the matter and am co-operating with the relevant authorities”.

🚨 𝗡𝗘𝗪: Granit Xhaka could face up to FIVE YEARS in prison over allegations that he obtained a Covid certificate despite not being vaccinated.

The Lucerne public prosecutor has opened proceedings against Xhaka and a doctor from Lucerne.

— @RMCsport pic.twitter.com/OgWRLsCwCj

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) September 21, 2026

Xhaka tested positive for COVID-19 in September 2022 and the 33-year-old - who turns 34 at the weekend - did not features in Switzerland's international matches that month.

A spokesperson for the Lucerne Cantonal Prosector’s Office said: “The aim [of the inquiries] is to clarify whether there has been conduct relevant under criminal law in connection with the possible fraudulent obtaining of a false certification and/or document forgery.”

Should charges be brought against Xhaka, he could have a heavy fine or (theoretically) a five-year stint behind bars. However, the likelihood of the latter or any other form of custodial punishment is understood to be very unlikely.

It has been understood by the wider media that Sunderland are not passing comment on the matter at this time, given that he was an Arsenal player in 2022 at the time of the offence. The combative midfielder left north London to join Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, winning the Bundesliga before arriving at Sunderland two years later, where he would be a transformative signing who guided the club into the Europa League this season.

Xhaka is Switzerland's captain, and has been capped 152 times by his country. However, he will now miss the coming Nations League matches - away games with North Macedonia and Scotland and home ties against Slovenia and, again, North Macedonia.