Swiss national football team captain Granit Xhaka faces an investigation by the Lucerne public prosecutor over a suspected fake Covid certificate obtained in 2022. Meanwhile, FC Sion forward Winsley Boteli has confirmed his desire to play for Switzerland over the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Granit Xhaka Breaks Silence on Lucerne Prosecutor Investigation
The Swiss national football team convened in Belek, Turkey, under the shadow of an ongoing legal inquiry involving team captain Granit Xhaka. The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office is investigating Granit Xhaka and a doctor named Andrea Ludwig over suspicions of criminal behavior related to a Covid-19 certificate.
Speaking in public for the first time about the probe, Xhaka addressed reporters following a 3-5 defeat with Sunderland against Manchester City. Pas de commentaire à ce sujet.
J’ai joué au football aujourd’hui.
Asked if the ordeal has rattled him, the 33-year-old midfielder added that it had not bothered him at all and that he had already experienced worse.
The investigation centers on allegations of fraudulent acquisition of an attestation or document falsification. Documentation reviewed by reporting outlets indicates that Xhaka allegedly received a first vaccination dose in Lucerne on January 25, 2022, and a second dose on November 8, 2022. The records include a vaccine identification number and a payment receipt showing the purchase of Moderna vaccine doses by the treating physician. Authorities have emphasized that the presumption of innocence applies to both individuals.
Legal Response and National Team Camp in Belek
Legal representation for the midfielder emphasized that investigators must lead the process. Legal counsel stated that the prosecutor has priority regarding the question of what exactly happened. Xhaka is scheduled to be questioned by the public prosecutor in early October.
Régis Le Bris, Xhaka’s coach, dismissed inquiries regarding the probe during media availability. Ce n’est pas mon domaine.
Mon domaine, c’est le football.
The controversy surrounds the national team as they gather at the Kempinski The Dome hotel in Belek for the Nations League fixtures. National team director Pierluigi Tami is slated to address the media regarding the investigation during the team’s training camp.
Winsley Boteli Commits to Swiss National Selection
Amid the turbulence surrounding the squad, the national setup received a boost regarding its emerging talent pool. FC Sion forward Winsley Boteli has resolved his international future by committing to the Swiss national team rather than accepting overtures from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The 20-year-old Genevois striker, who has scored frequently for Valais, confirmed his intentions to the media. Boteli stated that he was in contact with the coaches and was awaiting selection, confirming his desire to integrate into Murat Yakin’s squad despite recruitment efforts from his country of origin.
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