COVID-19

Xhaka Admits Fake Covid Pass, Faces Investigation

Is this straightforward document fraud or a scared man's choice now unfairly punished?

Published 7 days ago

Xhaka Admits Fake Covid Pass, Faces Investigation

story

Above: Granit Xhaka of Sunderland AFC at Stadium of Light in Sunderland, U.K., on Sept. 16. Image credit: Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images/DeFodi/Getty Images

The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

Faking a vaccination certificate is document fraud, and being the national team captain doesn't earn anyone a pass. An Instagram apology isn't a legal confession, so the Lucerne prosecutors are right to keep the case moving and question him under oath like anybody else. Stepping away from the national team camp was the least that could be expected while this gets sorted out.

Blick Actualité & Sport Swiss Football Association

Establishment-critical narrative

Xhaka was scared of a vaccine he didn't trust, and doing what it took to protect himself shouldn't be a crime four years later. The people who mandated and pushed the shots, and the ones harmed by them, never saw a courtroom, yet a footballer is hounded over a piece of paper. It's disgraceful that the discrimination and abuse inflicted during COVID continue to this day.

Thomas Binder on X

Leilani Dowding on X

Bernie on X

Narrative C

The Xhaka case is completely different from Patrick Fischer's, as the Swiss Football Association had only recommended vaccination, not required it, and Xhaka didn't need a fake certificate to play in a major tournament. More importantly, Xhaka has behaved like a captain should, coming clean, taking responsibility and stepping aside for the team. He deserves credit for his honesty.

Blick Actualité & Sport