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Arsenal's Granit Xhaka contracts COVID-19 after refusing vaccine

Granit Xhaka contracted COVID-19 after refusing to be vaccinated against the virus.  The Swiss F...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

15.18 2 Sep 2021


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Arsenal's Granit Xhaka contrac...

Arsenal's Granit Xhaka contracts COVID-19 after refusing vaccine

Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

15.18 2 Sep 2021


Share this article


Granit Xhaka contracted COVID-19 after refusing to be vaccinated against the virus. 

The Swiss Football Association (SFV/ASF) confirmed the news after the Arsenal midfielder missed Wednesday night's 2-1 friendly win over Greece with the virus.

They informed the media, "Xhaka was diagnosed with symptoms on the morning of the game, whereupon he was immediately isolated in his room.

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"A quick test turned out negative, the subsequent PCR test, carried out to be on the safe side, produced a positive result in the evening."

The 28-year old is now likely to miss Switzerland's upcoming World Cup qualifiers with Italy and Northern Ireland as a result of his diagnosis.

During half-time of the Greece friendly, SFV communications officer Adrian Arnold was asked by Blick if Xhaka had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

“Granit Xhaka was not vaccinated," was his response, "He's a player who isn't vaccinated.

"We left this up to each player, it's a personal decision of each player - just like any other person in Switzerland.

"We have issued a recommendation that everyone vaccinate. But he decided for himself personally. And it is also his right not to be vaccinated."

The sequence of events continues a calamitous start to the season for Xhaka.

He captained Arsenal for their first two Premier League games of the season - defeats to Brentford and Chelsea - and was sent off in the 5-0 hammering at Manchester City last weekend.

Arnold added, "All the other players in the team have been vaccinated or have recovered - so they are more or less safe, at least from a medical point of view.

“One is never quite sure. Accordingly, we have a very high vaccination rate."

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