Granit Xhaka receives suspended fine for forged COVID-19 certificate

Granit Xhaka, captain of the Switzerland national football team and midfielder for Sunderland, has been handed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs by the Lucerne Public Prosecutor's Office. The sentence follows his admission to forging a COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022 while playing for Arsenal.

The penalty is structured as 50 daily installments of 3,000 Swiss francs, subject to a two-year probationary period. Xhaka will not be required to pay the fine if he commits no further criminal offenses during this time. He has already settled all legal costs associated with the proceedings.

Xhaka stated on social media that he accepts full responsibility for his decision, explaining that he acted out of deep mistrust and emotional turmoil regarding the vaccine during the pandemic. The Swiss Football Association has noted the legal conclusion and will discuss his future status with the national team.