Granit Xhaka handed suspended fine for forging Covid-19 vaccination certificate
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of £136,265 after admitting to forging a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, reports BritPanorama.
The 34-year-old Premier League star stated that the penalty consists of 50 daily rates of £2,725; however, the sentence “will not be enforced” provided he commits no further offences during a two-year probationary period.
Xhaka admitted in September that he had made a “mistake”, following which he was omitted from Switzerland’s squad for the international break. He was also investigated by the Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office.
In a statement posted on social media, Xhaka reiterated his intention to “take responsibility” for his actions and confirmed the outcome of the prosecutor’s investigation. “A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that,” he stated.
The statement continued, “After I gave a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the public prosecutor’s decision has now been issued. I was sentenced by summary judgment for obtaining a false certification to a suspended fine of 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each, with a probationary period of two years. This means: The sentence will not be carried out if I do not commit any offences during this period. I have already paid the court costs.”
“I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions. Thank you for the many messages of support over the past few weeks. They mean a lot to me,” he added. The Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Xhaka was issued with a penalty order, although officials stated they were unable to provide further information, as the legal proceedings had not yet concluded.
The offence dates back to 2022, during which Xhaka was with Arsenal. Reports indicate he had developed “a deep mistrust” and “serious reservations” about Covid-19 vaccination and admitted he was “very unsettled”. Xhaka subsequently acknowledged that he had handled those concerns inappropriately.
Rather than seeking answers through the proper channels, he stated he had forged a vaccination certificate while in a “state of emotional turmoil”. His admission resulted in him being omitted from Switzerland’s squad for four matches. SFV president Peter Knabel confirmed that Xhaka would miss two games against North Macedonia, as well as fixtures against Scotland and Slovenia. Switzerland won each of those matches, with a reconsideration of Xhaka’s situation anticipated after the international break.
The incident occurred amidst constantly changing Covid-19 restrictions, with requirements varying significantly across countries. In 2022, some nations demanded proof of vaccination or a negative test, although the UK had removed most domestic and travel restrictions by the beginning of that year. Xhaka’s career has since seen him leave Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 before returning to the Premier League with Sunderland in 2025.
Now Switzerland’s record holder for men’s international appearances, Xhaka has established himself as a regular starter at Sunderland, featuring from the outset in all of the club’s first five Premier League games this season. The unfolding of Xhaka’s journey speaks volumes about the complexities of distilling personal conviction within a professional framework.
