Xhaka Sits Out Nations League Camp After Admitting to Fake Covid Certificate

Switzerland will begin their Nations League campaign without their captain. Granit Xhaka has withdrawn from the squad for matches against North Macedonia and Scotland after admitting he used a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic.

A public admission

The Sunderland midfielder addressed the issue directly on social media, saying mistrust of the vaccine had pushed him toward the wrong course of action rather than working through the proper channels. He has confirmed he is co-operating with Swiss authorities, who have opened proceedings against the doctor accused of issuing the falsified paperwork.

It was a mistake. I am sorry. I accept responsibility for this decision.

Why the timing matters

Xhaka is Switzerland's most-capped player with 152 appearances and captained the side to the World Cup quarter-finals this summer. His absence leaves a leadership gap heading into a Nations League window the Swiss will want to start well.

• Switzerland federation president Peter Knabel says the decision to leave Xhaka out was made jointly with the player.
• Xhaka remains eligible to return for November's fixtures once the current window concludes.
• Swiss prosecutors are expected to question Xhaka next month as part of the wider investigation.

For a player who has rarely missed a camp for club or country, the coming weeks will be as much about rebuilding trust with the federation as they are about football.