The "Blick" investigation has spread rapidly. Granit Xhaka is under investigation.
The Lucerne Public Prosecutor's Office has opened proceedings. The captain of the Swiss national team is suspected of having forged a COVID-19 certificate. The case has the potential to become a scandal if the allegations are confirmed.
Now, the investigation by the Swiss media outlet "Blick" has had new developments. It is said that the certificate was issued by a doctor from Lucerne. Xhaka personally has not commented, but his representative, Andreas Bantel, stated on Friday evening. "Xhaka has confirmation from the doctor that he was vaccinated against COVID for the first time on January 25, 2022, and for the second time on November 11, 2022," Bantel stated.
However, this is not entirely accurate.
"Blicku" has obtained the certificate, which is suspected to be forged. According to the document, the second vaccination took place on November 8, not November 11, as Xhaka's representative said. The first vaccination, in fact, is actually on January 25, 2022, as written in the documents.
When asked, Bantel confirmed that Xhaka received his second vaccination on November 8.
This is more than a minor detail. The timing of the alleged vaccination is crucial for the Public Prosecutor's investigation. The vaccination certificate shows that Xhaka visited the doctor in Lucerne in person, in each case. If it turns out that the captain was abroad on those dates, the alleged visit to the doctor in Switzerland would be considered unbelievable.
A look at Xhaka's match history does raise questions. In early November 2022, he played three games in England, then for Arsenal. On November 6, he and his team won 1-0 against Chelsea. Two days later, on November 8, he was reported to have been vaccinated in Lucerne, and returned to the pitch in London on November 9 against Brighton, and again on November 12, away to Wolverhampton.
While it is theoretically possible for Xhaka to travel between these two games in a very tight schedule, it would be unusual for such a big club to do so. Furthermore, Arsenal could arrange for him to be vaccinated elsewhere.
Why Lucerne? Xhaka has no public personal ties to the city. He gave an interview to "Blick", published on November 13, 2022.
"Zurich and Lucerne are not for me. My city is Basel!", Xhaka had said.
"Blick" conducted this interview on November 6, just two days before Xhaka's suspected vaccination, in London, 15 minutes from the Arsenal campus.
All this does not prove Xhaka's guilt. In any case, the Public Prosecutor's Office must prove the charges. Investigators are interested in data on payment dates and travel tickets, to know his whereabouts at that time. And perhaps there is an explanation for everything. But for the moment, the Switzerland captain is silent.
On Sunday, many other powerful media outlets in Switzerland also dealt with this issue.
There could be a suspended prison sentence and a fine for Xhaka. The suspended fine would reach up to six figures. On a daily basis, he would have to pay up to 3 Swiss francs.
"For example, 40 daily installments of 3 thousand Swiss francs, the penalty would amount to 120 thousand francs. On top of that, court costs are also added," "20 Minuten" wrote.