Granit Xhaka Handed Suspended £136,000 Fine Over Fake Covid-19 Vaccine Certificate

Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to about £136,000, over his purchase of a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022.

According to Sky Sports News, the Switzerland captain was sentenced by the Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office to 50 daily fines of 3,000 Swiss francs each. The sentence carries a two-year probation period, meaning the financial penalty will only be enforced if he commits another offence during that time.

Xhaka announced the decision on Thursday, saying he had accepted the judgment and taken responsibility for his actions. The former Arsenal midfielder said he stood by his earlier commitment to address the matter and had cooperated with the legal process.

“A few weeks ago, I said that I take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that,” Xhaka said in a statement. He added that he had provided a full statement to prosecutors, paid the legal costs and accepted the judgment.

The case dates back to 2022, when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal. He had previously admitted obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination certificate despite not receiving the vaccine. In September, he said he had been deeply uncertain about the vaccine at the time and acknowledged that obtaining the certificate rather than addressing his concerns through the proper channels was a mistake.

Xhaka also apologised for his actions and pledged to cooperate fully with the authorities. Swiss prosecutors launched an investigation after allegations emerged concerning COVID-19 certificates issued during the pandemic. Xhaka subsequently withdrew from Switzerland’s international squad while the matter was under investigation.

The Swiss Football Association said it was aware of the decision and indicated that the legal conclusion would allow discussions with Xhaka about his future with the national team. The development could therefore have implications for conversations surrounding his international role, although no change to his captaincy was announced in the report.

The suspended sentence does not impose an immediate financial penalty under the terms described in the report. Xhaka remains captain of Switzerland and plays for Sunderland in the Premier League, with the report stating that the criminal judgment does not currently carry a football ban.