Story perspectives

Xhaka Faces Criminal Probe Over Fake Covid Certificate

By Drooid · Sep 21, 2026, 2:35 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is under criminal investigation for obtaining a falsified Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
Xhaka admitted on 21 September 2026 via Instagram that he bought the fake certificate in 2022.
FA president Peter Knäbel said Xhaka will miss Nations League matches against North Macedonia, Scotland and Slovenia.
A Lucerne doctor whose clinic was raided in 2023 for issuing false certificates faces fines or five years imprisonment.

History

Historical Context

In 2009 the H1N1 pandemic led the United States to declare a national emergency on 24 October and to start a vaccine-fraud probe that exposed Dr. John R. Miller’s 1,200 forged immunisation certificates, costing him a $2.5 million fine. The scandal echoed German deputy Wolfgang Wodarg’s January 2010 criticism that pharmaceutical firms had shaped the pandemic response, reinforcing today’s strict penalties for falsified health documents.

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Story summary

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is under criminal investigation for obtaining a falsified Covid-19 vaccination certificate.
Xhaka admitted on 21 September 2026 via Instagram that he bought the fake certificate in 2022.
FA president Peter Knäbel said Xhaka will miss Nations League matches against North Macedonia, Scotland and Slovenia.
A Lucerne doctor whose clinic was raided in 2023 for issuing false certificates faces fines or five years imprisonment.

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