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Fresh questions have emerged over the legitimacy of Granit Xhaka's Covid-19 vaccination certificate with a rapid turnaround between travelling to Switzerland and playing a Premier League match.
According to a report in Tages-Anzeiger, Xhaka's vaccine certificate – which Swiss authorities suspect to be forged – is dated November 11, 2022.
Yet just 24 hours later, Arsenal won 2-0 away at Wolves in the final game before the Qatar World Cup – a match Xhaka started but lasted only 16 minutes due to a gastrointestinal infection.
The Swiss national team captain is said to have 'obtained' the certificate from a family doctor in Lucerne, raising questions about whether Arsenal would have sanctioned foreign travel the day before a Premier League match.
Xhaka posted a team photo on Instagram on the date of his second vaccination, where he was presented with a framed shirt during training to mark his 200th Premier League appearance for Arsenal. He was also pictured training in London on that day.
Xhaka admitted wrongdoing yesterday, though his post stops short of a legal confession with the 33-year-old expected to be interviewed by Swiss authorities in due course. The offence carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
Granit Xhaka is seen being substituted for Arsenal on November 12, 2022, the day after his disputed vaccine certificate is dated
In photos put out by his club he was also training with Arsenal in London on the day of the Swiss jab certificate date - November 11, 2022
Records show that Doctor Andrea Ludwig signed two vaccine certificates for Xhaka: January 25 2022 and November 11 2022
'In recent days, there has been much reporting about a matter from my past,' Xhaka said. 'I would like to address this personally.
'Regarding the Covid-19 vaccination, I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns at the time. I felt deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty.
'In this turbulent emotional state, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my open questions through the proper channels. Today I clearly see that this was not the right course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry.
'I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to investigating the matter, and am fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.'
Despite his admission, Swiss authorities reiterated to Daily Mail Sport that Xhaka is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The alleged doctor, Andrea Ludwig, maintains her innocence.
Doctor Ludwig has faced wider scrutiny over her conduct during the coronavirus pandemic. She was criticised for treating seriously ill coronavirus patients with cancer drug opaganib despite it never being an approved treatment – and was dubbed a 'miracle doctor' by sarcastic critics.
Xhaka posted this image from the training ground - the day of his apparent second vaccine
Xhaka is pictured with his wife Leonita, who has been with the footballer since 2015
On Monday, the Swiss authorities told Daily Mail Sport: 'We can confirm the Prosecutor's Office of the Canton of Lucerne has initiated a corresponding investigation against Granit Xhaka.
'The aim is to determine whether there is a behaviour that is legally relevant in connection with a possible forgery of a false notarisation or/and the falsification of documents.
'The person concerned is presumed innocent. The investigation is pending.'
Records show that Ludwig signed two vaccine certificates for Xhaka: January 25, 2022 and November 11, 2022.
The first was on the eve of Arsenal's training camp in the United Arab Emirates while the second was three days before he travelled to the Qatar World Cup.
Xhaka is not thought to have broken any laws regarding travelling to Qatar or Dubai, as vaccines were not compulsory.
Sunderland captain Xhaka is not joining up with Switzerland while he is under investigation
He is also not expected to face any repercussions in English football, as the FA or the Premier League did not mandate vaccines during the pandemic.
Due to the investigation, Xhaka has been axed from the Switzerland squad for their upcoming Nations League matches against North Macedonia, Scotland and Slovenia.
He holds their all-time appearance record with 152 games for the national team and most recently captained them to the World Cup quarter-finals in North America.
Ludwig justified the use of opaganib under 'compassionate use': the officially regulated use of drugs not yet approved outside of clinical trials.
According to news outlet 20 Minutes, a controlled study was unable to prove that the drug worked as a remedy for COVID despite Ludwig claiming that it was effective with individual patients.
