Switzerland’s and Sunderland‘s Granit Xhaka says he wants to focus on his game with the Premier League side and country amid the forgery investigation back home. ARTICLE UPDATED AT END.
On Sunday, the midfielder made his fifth league start of the season for the Black Cats.
He played the full 90 minutes in Sunderland’s 5-3 defeat to Manchester City. The clash at the Etihad was exciting as the visitors came from behind twice to level the score.
Antoine Semenyo scored a brace to make it 4-2 in the 57th minute. Two minutes later, Brian Brobbey completed his hat-trick to reduce the deficit, while Erling Haaland’s 81st minute goal meant Sunderland didn’t get a point.
Sunderland man refuses to comment on allegations
After the match, NZZ in Switzerland caught up with the 33-year-old to ask him about the investigation regarding a forged Covid certificate.
When responding to that, Granit Xhaka made it clear he only wants to think about his performances on the pitch.
“There’s no comment on that. I played football today. And that’s what matters to me right now,” he said.
When pressed further whether it has impacted him, Xhaka explained: “Not at all, I’ve had worse things happen.”
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris also refuss to comment on this subject. The coach said his area is football and Xhaka is “very good” at it.
What’s the controversy involving Sunderland star
The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation whether Granit Xhaka actually took vaccination for Covid or only obtained a certificate saying he has received it.
He was tested positive in September 2022, forcing him to miss that month’s matches for his country.
In 2023, a Lucerne doctor came under investigation for allegedly issuing Covid certificates to her clients without them taking vaccination. Her lawyer, Cornel Borbély, has confirmed she “vaccinated Xhaka”.
The Sunderland midfielder’s spokesman, Andreas Bantel, said he’s “fully cooperating” with the authorities. They are set to question him in October about the allegations of receiving a forged Covid certificate.
There’s unlikely to be any quick conclusion. In short, this saga is likely to one of the main topics of discussions as Xhaka joins Murat Yakin’s squad for this international break.
Update: Granit Xhaka confesses
Granite Xhaka has confessed via a statement on Instagram.
“In recent days, there has been much reporting about a matter from my past. I would like to address this personally. Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns at the time. I felt a 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 that this was the wrong approach. It was a mistake. I am sorry. I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to investigating the matter, and am fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.”
🇨🇭 Granit Xhaka: Sunderland captain under investigation in Switzerland over suspected forged Covid certificate
💬 Lucerne Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office: “The aim is to clarify whether there has been conduct relevant under criminal law in connection with the possible fraudulent…
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) September 19, 2026
