🛠️ Technical Area
Van Dijk blaming Koeman for the World Cup disaster is like a goalkeeper claiming the striker got in his way—just own it and move on.  •  Auxerre-PSG will either be a proper cup tie or PSG will remember they're in a different tax bracket and make it boring by halftime.  •  Leverkusen's unbeaten run means Hamburg are walking into the Allianz Arena knowing they're there to be humiliated, but at least they'll get paid for it.  •  Bielik got charged by the FA while the police walked away, which tracks perfectly with English football's obsession with theatre over actual consequences.  •  Barcelona hit a billion euros in revenue and still can't figure out how to defend a set piece—money really doesn't fix everything, does it?
EPL

Granit Xhaka Withdraws From Switzerland Squad After Fake Covid Certificate Admission

By WAF News Desk 3 min read
Share:

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka will miss Switzerland’s upcoming Nations League matches after admitting that he obtained a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic.

The 33-year-old midfielder, Switzerland’s record appearance holder with 152 caps, publicly apologised for the decision and said he is cooperating with the relevant authorities. The Swiss Football Association confirmed that Xhaka and the federation jointly agreed he would not take part in the current international camp.

Why is Granit Xhaka out of the Switzerland squad?

Xhaka addressed the issue after reports emerged in Switzerland about an investigation connected to vaccination certificates. In his statement, the former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder acknowledged that he had obtained a vaccination certificate rather than resolving his concerns through the official process.

He described the decision as a mistake and accepted responsibility for it. The Swiss FA subsequently confirmed that Xhaka would sit out the current gathering so the national team could focus on its Nations League programme.

Swiss FA president Peter Knäbel said the association welcomed Xhaka’s decision to address the matter publicly and take responsibility. The federation said it would reassess the situation with the player once the international window is complete.

Which Switzerland games will Xhaka miss?

Switzerland have begun an extended Nations League window that includes away matches against North Macedonia and Scotland before home fixtures against Slovenia and North Macedonia in Lucerne.

Xhaka’s absence is significant. He has been a central figure for Switzerland since making his senior international debut in 2011 and has gone on to become the country’s all-time record appearance holder. His 152 caps underline both his longevity and his importance to the national side.

The midfielder captained Switzerland during their run to the World Cup quarter-finals earlier this year, making his temporary withdrawal one of the highest-profile absences of the opening Nations League window.

What does it mean for Sunderland?

For Sunderland, the immediate football impact is limited because the issue has arisen during the international break rather than during the Premier League schedule.

Xhaka remains a key figure at the Stadium of Light, where his experience has been important following the club’s return to the Premier League. There has been no announcement that his club availability has changed.

The matter itself relates to 2022, when Xhaka was still an Arsenal player. He left Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 before later joining Sunderland.

What happens next for Xhaka?

The Swiss FA has stopped short of announcing any longer-term international sanction. Instead, it will review Xhaka’s position after the current Nations League window.

Separately, authorities in Switzerland are examining the circumstances surrounding the certificate. Xhaka has said he will cooperate fully with that process.

That means his longer-term status with Switzerland remains unresolved, but his absence from the current squad is confirmed. For a player who has accumulated more international appearances than any other Swiss footballer, the federation’s post-window review will now be closely watched ahead of the next round of internationals.

More Like This