Swiss Ice Hockey Coach Dismissed Over Forged COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate

Head Coach Patrick Fischer Relieved of His Duties

According to Главком: Patrick Fischer has been dismissed from his role as head coach of the Swiss national ice hockey team. The decision follows the discovery that he used a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate to travel to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. Under Fischer's leadership, the Swiss team reached the quarter-finals at those Games, where they were defeated by Finland with a score of 1:5.

Achievements and Consequences

Fischer, 50, had led the Swiss national team since 2015. During his tenure, the team achieved significant success, climbing from 8th to 2nd place in the world rankings and securing silver medals at the World Championships in 2018, 2024, and 2025. His dismissal has sparked a public debate about values and trust, which the federation takes very seriously. As Urs Kessler noted:

“The case is legally closed, but it has sparked a public discussion about values and trust, which the federation takes very seriously. It is about the values and respect that are fundamental to Swiss hockey and which Patrick Fischer failed to uphold in 2022.”

The Swiss Ice Hockey Federation has appointed assistant coach Jan Cadieux as the new head coach, marking a new chapter for the internationally experienced team. The incident highlights the strict ethical standards in Swiss sport, where integrity is considered paramount. The team's future, particularly in preparation for upcoming competitions, will be closely watched by fans and sports analysts alike.

Fischer's dismissal underscores the critical importance of ethics and trust in sports management, especially during the global pandemic when vaccination was a major point of discussion. This decision by the federation may serve as a signal to other sports organizations about the necessity of upholding ethical standards and holding their representatives accountable. Under new leadership, the Swiss national team now has the opportunity to adapt to new challenges and continue its pursuit of success on the international stage.