ONE TOUCH SUMMARY
- Granit Xhaka removed from Switzerland squad after admitting possession of a fake Covid‑19 vaccination certificate
- Switzerland coach announced Xhaka’s exclusion, citing breach of trust and disciplinary standards
- The midfielder’s absence forces Switzerland to reshuffle midfield options ahead of upcoming matches
ONE TOUCH INSIGHT
Granit Xhaka’s absence from Switzerland’s squad isn’t just a disciplinary footnote — it exposes how off-field credibility now directly shapes international selection. His admission of holding a fake vaccination certificate has cost him his place, proving that national teams will no longer tolerate risks to squad health protocols, regardless of a player’s stature or on-field influence. For a midfielder whose value lies in dictating tempo and shielding the back line, this absence disrupts Switzerland’s usual balance in midfield.
Sunderland now face a clearer picture of Xhaka’s availability, but his standing with Switzerland remains uncertain until the federation confirms any sanction beyond dropping him. The next match against Denmark will show whether coach Murat Yakin opts for a more defensive anchor or pushes a younger midfielder into the role Xhaka typically fills. His return hinges on resolving the certificate issue transparently, not on form alone. The concrete follow-up is whether Xhaka is recalled for the November friendly against Germany, a fixture that will test if the breach is treated as a one-off lapse or a lasting trust issue.
WHY IT MATTERS
The incident raises questions about player integrity and national team discipline, potentially undermining squad cohesion and public trust in the federation beyond the immediate selection issue.
TACTICAL FIT
Xhaka’s box‑to‑box presence and passing range anchored Switzerland’s midfield; his removal forces the coach to adjust shape and rely on less experienced players, altering the team’s balance and transition play.
THE DEBATE
Should Switzerland permanently ban Xhaka after his vaccine certificate scandal?
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Sunderland's Granit Xhaka has lost his place in the Switzerland squad after admitting to possessing a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
Investigations are ongoing into allegations that a Swiss doctor was producing fabricated certificates for the unvaccinated in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic.
Xhaka has now admitted that he obtained false paperwork.
The 33-year-old said he would take responsibility for actions he now accepts were incorrect and has been left out of his side's squad to face Scotland, North Macedonia and Slovenia in the international break.
Reports suggest legal consequences could follow, with Xhaka confirming he was already dealing with "the relevant authorities."
Granit Xhaka has been a mainstay in the Switzerland squad for a number of years but has now lost his place.Carl Recine/Getty Images
"In recent days, there has been much reporting regarding a matter from my past. I would like to address this personally," Xhaka said.
"At the time, I was deeply unsettled and had serious reservations regarding the Covid-19 vaccination. I harboured a deep mistrust of the vaccine and was gripped by fear and uncertainty.
"In that state of emotional turmoil, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of addressing my unresolved questions through the proper channels.
"Today, I clearly see that this was the wrong course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry. I accept responsibility for this decision, am facing the process of addressing the situation, and am cooperating fully with the relevant authorities."
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A statement from Swiss FA (SFV) president Peter Knabel followed and said: "We welcome the fact that Granit is taking this step and facing the issue head-on. At the same time, we mutually concluded that it is in the team's best interest to proceed with this camp without him.
"Our priority now is to bring calm to the situation and focus entirely on the team and the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. Once this international break concludes, we will reassess the situation with Granit and discuss the next steps."
Xhaka has won a record 152 caps for his country and has featured on six occasions for the Black Cats this season, including Sunday's 5-3 defeat to Manchester City.
AI-assisted · generated from ESPN FC reporting, not editor reviewed
