- A published email history brings new details about the scandal surrounding ex-Nati coach Patrick Fischer and his fake Covid vaccination certificate.
- SRF journalist Pascal Schmitz admits to an off-the-record conversation, but emphasizes the journalistic obligation to publish.
- Fischer had accused SRF of breaking an oral agreement – SRF denied this in a statement.
On On Tuesday, ex-Nati coach Patrick Fischer broke his silence and spoke publicly for the first time about the incident surrounding his fake Covid vaccination certificate. In a 35-minute-long video, Fischer, among others, shot against the SRF and spoke of a verbal “off the record” agreement that was broken.
The SRF issued a statement For his part, he stated that there was no “off the record” agreement. Now the online portal has «Switzerland today» Published the email history between SRF employee Pascal Schmitz and the media director.
The email from Pascal Schmitz to SIHF media director Finn Sulzer
Dear Finn
Thank you again for your time yesterday.
I’m writing to you about our off-the-record conversation at lunch in Altstetten, which put me in a tricky position. As you know, a topic was raised that is of great interest to the public. I am very aware of the importance of an off-the-record agreement and I take this seriously. However, as a journalist for Swiss radio and television, I have a responsibility towards the public. I see it as an obligation to examine and, if necessary, publish relevant information that is of public interest. The conviction for forgery and the associated fine mentioned by Patrick is information that clearly exceeds this threshold of public interest. This is about the credibility of a person in a public function, including a role model function. With what I know now, I can no longer tell the story I originally planned. SRF would be put in an impossible position if the circumstance becomes public at a later date and, knowing full well, we publish a portrait of rituals and symbols without addressing the fake certificate. In consultation with the SRF editor-in-chief, I would like to give you the opportunity to comment on this and present your point of view.
If you do not comment on this, we reserve the right to look for other ways to fulfill our journalistic duty.
I hope for your understanding of my position. We can’t help it.
Best regards, Pascal
Schmitz starts the email correspondence on his own initiative with the wording “off-the-record conversation”. This is very relevant because SRF editor-in-chief Tristan Brenn told “CH Media” shortly after the start of the Fischer case: “I would like to state again here: It was not an off-the-record conversation. This must be agreed upon in advance by both sides.”
On the same evening, when Fischer sharply criticized the SRF in his video interview, it was announced: “The media director of the Swiss Ice Hockey Association wanted to make an ‘off-the-record’ claim after the lunch in question. That’s why the aforementioned email exchange occurred between Pascal Schmitz and the media director. In his answer, Pascal Schmitz referred to this subsequent request or reproduced the wording of the association. This did not confirm a previous off-the-record agreement.”
Contrary to what SRF announced, Pascal Schmitz’s email is not a response to a message from Sulzer. He also makes no reference to an earlier email. Schmitz, for his part, starts with reference to “our off-the-record conversation…” and writes a little later that he is very aware of the importance of an “off-the-record agreement”. However, this also allows the interpretation that Schmitz is only addressing the discretion desired by the association and that he understands the association’s point of view. However, his “journalistic duty” and the “public interest” apparently seemed to have prevailed in the end.
Sven Scheidegger (ssc) has been working in the sports department since November 2025.
Nino Vinzens (nvi) has been working for 20 minutes since 2024. His expertise is mainly spread across the sports of football, alpine skiing and ice hockey.
