Granit Xhaka has admitted receiving a fake Covid vaccination certificate and is now under investigation in Switzerland, where the maximum possible punishment could reportedly reach five years in prison.

Xhaka Under Investigation After Admission as Five-Year Prison Risk Emerges

Granit Xhaka is facing a serious legal investigation in Switzerland after admitting that he received a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022.

The Sunderland midfielder and Switzerland captain has publicly accepted responsibility and apologised for his decision.

Reports in Switzerland and France say that if he is convicted under laws relating to false documents, the maximum possible punishment could reach five years in prison.

However, Xhaka has not been convicted and no prison sentence has been given.

Xhaka admits receiving fake certificate

The biggest new development is that Xhaka has now publicly admitted his role in the case.

He acknowledged that he received a Covid vaccination certificate even though the vaccination recorded on the document did not take place as stated.

Xhaka said the decision was wrong and apologised for what happened.

He also confirmed that he plans to cooperate fully with the authorities during the investigation.

Why Xhaka could face up to five years

Reports say the case is being investigated under Swiss laws involving false documents and certificates.

Under the most serious interpretation of the law, the maximum punishment could reportedly be:

Up to five years in prison.

But this number needs an important explanation.

Five years is the maximum possible legal punishment. It does not mean Xhaka will receive a five-year prison sentence.

The investigation is still continuing and no final decision has been made.

A prison sentence is not guaranteed

Legal reports have also suggested that a long prison sentence may not be the most likely result.

Depending on the final charges and the court’s decision, other punishments could be possible.

These may include a financial penalty or another legal sanction.

For now, it is too early to know what punishment Xhaka could actually receive.

The case reportedly involves a doctor in Lucerne

The investigation is connected to a medical practice in Lucerne.

Authorities previously searched the clinic and collected documents linked to Covid certificates.

A doctor is also reportedly being investigated over certificates that may have been issued without the vaccinations taking place as recorded.

Xhaka’s name later appeared as part of that wider investigation.

Xhaka explains why he made the decision

In his public statement, Xhaka said he had concerns and fears about Covid vaccination at the time.

He admitted that those feelings influenced his decision.

But the midfielder also made clear that he now understands the decision was wrong.

He said he takes responsibility and regrets what happened.

Swiss captain steps away from national team

The case has already affected Xhaka’s international career.

The Swiss Football Association confirmed that he will not take part in the current national-team camp.

The decision was made after talks between Xhaka and the federation.

For now, the move is being described as a mutual decision rather than a long-term football ban.

Swiss FA responds to the situation

The Swiss federation said it respected Xhaka for taking responsibility and believed the team should now focus on its upcoming matches.

His situation will be reviewed again after the international period.

There is currently no confirmation that Xhaka has been permanently removed as Switzerland captain.

There is also no official long-term suspension from international football.

No Sunderland suspension announced

Xhaka remains a Sunderland player.

At this stage, the Premier League club has not announced a long-term suspension connected to the case.

The legal investigation in Switzerland is separate from any possible sporting action.

That means his club situation could depend on how the case develops.

Investigation remains ongoing

Swiss prosecutors are continuing to examine the evidence.

Xhaka is expected to cooperate with investigators as they try to establish exactly what happened.

Further questioning and legal steps could follow.

Until that process is complete, Xhaka remains under investigation rather than convicted of an offence.

A serious moment in Xhaka’s career

The situation now represents one of the most serious off-field problems of Xhaka’s career.

He has admitted receiving the false certificate.

He has apologised.

He has temporarily stepped away from Switzerland duty.

And a criminal investigation is continuing.

The reported five-year prison term represents the maximum possible punishment, not the sentence Xhaka has received.

What happens next will depend on the investigation and any future decision by Swiss prosecutors or the courts.

For now, Xhaka faces an uncertain legal situation and growing attention around his future for both club and country.