Sport · Malaysia Bureau
Swiss star Xhaka benched over fake COVID certificate admission
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has been sidelined from Switzerland's UEFA Nations League training camp following his public acknowledgment of using a fraudulent COVID-19 certificate. The Swiss Football Association and the player mutually agreed to the suspension.
LSN Malaysia ·
Granit Xhaka will miss Switzerland's upcoming UEFA Nations League training camp after admitting to possessing and using a fake COVID-19 certificate, the Swiss Football Association announced. The decision came following discussions between Xhaka and SFV officials, with both parties agreeing that the midfielder's absence from the squad was appropriate given the circumstances.
Xhaka, who plays for English Premier League club Arsenal, publicly acknowledged his actions in a statement to Swiss media. The admission prompted swift action from the national football federation, which determined that the player's participation in the training camp would be untenable.
The suspension marks a significant disciplinary moment for the Swiss national team as it navigates ongoing compliance issues related to COVID-19 protocols. While the SFV has not announced an extended ban from international competition, Xhaka's exclusion from the immediate training camp signals the federation's commitment to maintaining standards around health documentation.
The 31-year-old midfielder has been a regular fixture in the Swiss national team setup and is considered one of the country's key players. His absence from the Nations League camp comes at a sensitive time for Swiss football's preparation for upcoming international fixtures.