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Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of £136,265 after admitting to obtaining a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022.
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The Sunderland and Switzerland captain will not have to pay the fine unless he commits another offence during a two-year probation period.
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Xhaka, who missed Switzerland’s recent Nations League matches during the investigation, has accepted the decision and said he takes responsibility for his actions.
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The 34-year-old remains Switzerland’s record appearance holder and could now face discussions over his international future.
October 08, (THEWILL) – Switzerland and Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of £136,265 after admitting to obtaining a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic.
The 34-year-old midfielder confirmed the outcome of the investigation on Thursday after Swiss authorities issued a penalty order over the incident, which dates back to 2022 when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal.
According to the decision, Xhaka was given a suspended fine equivalent to 50 daily rates of 3,000 Swiss francs, amounting to 150,000 Swiss francs, or approximately £136,265.
The punishment comes with a two-year probation period, meaning the fine will only be enforced if he commits another offence during that period. Xhaka has already paid the court costs.
Xhaka Accepts Responsibility
Xhaka addressed the punishment in a statement on social media, reiterating his earlier commitment to accept responsibility for his actions.
“A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that,” the Sunderland midfielder said.
“After I gave a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the public prosecutor’s decision has now been issued.”
Xhaka added that he had been sentenced following a summary judgment and explained that the punishment would remain suspended throughout the two-year probation period.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions,” he said.
The Swiss Football Association confirmed it was aware of the prosecutor’s decision and indicated that the legal process had now reached a significant conclusion.
The federation is expected to discuss Xhaka’s future with him following the outcome.
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Incident Dates Back To Xhaka’s Arsenal Days
The case relates to a COVID-19 vaccination certificate Xhaka obtained during the pandemic while he was still an Arsenal player.
The midfielder previously admitted that he had serious reservations about the COVID-19 vaccine at the time and described himself as being in an emotionally unsettled state.
Rather than resolving his concerns through the appropriate channels, he obtained a fraudulent vaccination document.
Xhaka later acknowledged that his decision was wrong and apologised.
“I now clearly see that this was the wrong course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry,” he said in his earlier statement, while confirming that he was cooperating with the authorities.
The revelation also affected his international career in the short term, with Xhaka withdrawing from Switzerland’s squad while prosecutors investigated the matter.
Xhaka Missed Four Nations League Matches
Xhaka was absent from Switzerland’s recent Nations League fixtures as he provided evidence to prosecutors in Lucerne.
Despite his absence, Switzerland won all four of its matches during the period, although his international future remains a subject for discussion following the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
The midfielder remains a major figure for his country.
He is Switzerland’s record men’s international appearance holder with 152 caps and continues to captain the national side.
At club level, Xhaka joined Sunderland in 2025 after leaving Bayer Leverkusen, where he helped the German club win the Bundesliga and German Cup. He had previously spent seven seasons at Arsenal before moving to Germany in 2023.
The latest ruling means the legal case surrounding the fraudulent certificate has reached a conclusion, although the Swiss Football Association is still expected to determine what, if any, further consequences Xhaka could face at international level.
For now, the midfielder has accepted the punishment and remains under a two-year probation period, with the suspended fine hanging over him should he commit another offence.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
