Sunderland midfielder and Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has admitted obtaining a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic, saying he accepts responsibility for the decision and regrets his actions.
The 33-year-old has withdrawn from Switzerland’s upcoming Nations League fixtures while a criminal investigation by prosecutors in the Swiss city of Lucerne is under way.
The case emerged after suspicions that a doctor in Lucerne had issued vaccination certificates to some people without actually administering the vaccine. The doctor has denied the allegations.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Xhaka acknowledged his involvement in obtaining the certificate and said he had been deeply uncertain about Covid-19 vaccination at the time.
Xhaka said he had serious concerns about the vaccine and, instead of seeking proper answers to his questions, obtained a vaccination certificate. He described the decision as a mistake and said he regretted it.
The Switzerland captain said he accepted responsibility for his actions and would face the proceedings aimed at establishing the facts. He also pledged to cooperate fully with the relevant authorities.
Xhaka could face a financial penalty or other legal consequences depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Read also: Scientists make major discovery about COVID-19 booster vaccines
