Granit Xhaka, the 34-year-old captain of the Swiss national team and midfielder for Sunderland, has been fined €161,000 for utilizing a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The fine will be paid in 50 daily installments of €3,215 and will only be enforced if he commits no further offenses during a two-year probation period.
Since 2023, Swiss authorities have been investigating a doctor suspected of issuing numerous fake vaccination certificates, with Xhaka identified as one of the clients who received a vaccination certificate despite never being vaccinated.
After hearings at the Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office, Xhaka admitted his wrongdoing and was excluded from Switzerland’s squad for four recent Nations League matches.
Two-Year Probation Period Assigned to Xhaka
“A few weeks ago, I spoke here personally and stated that I would take responsibility for my decision. I maintain that statement. After providing a full declaration to the prosecution, a decision was issued by the prosecutor,” Xhaka said.
He was sentenced through a simplified procedure for obtaining a false certificate and given a suspended fine consisting of 50 daily installments of CHF 3,000 each, alongside a two-year probation period. This means the punishment will not be executed if he commits no offenses during this time. He has already covered the judicial costs.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions. Thank you for the many supportive messages I’ve received in recent weeks. They mean a lot to me,” Xhaka revealed on his personal Instagram account.
Xhaka returned to the Premier League at the start of last season, signing with newly promoted Sunderland. The Swiss midfielder made 34 appearances in the league, scoring one goal and providing six assists.
He played all three matches for Switzerland at the 2026 World Cup, scoring a goal in the 4-1 victory over Bosnia in the second round.
Starting his career at Basel, Xhaka transferred to Monchengladbach in 2012 for €8.5 million and was acquired by Arsenal in the summer of 2016 for €45 million.
Throughout his career, Xhaka has won two FA Cups and two Community Shields with Arsenal, a Bundesliga title, a DFB-Pokal, and a DFL-Supercup with Bayer Leverkusen, as well as two league titles and a Swiss Cup with Basel. Additionally, he won the U17 World Cup with the Swiss national team in 2009.
