Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, approximately £136,000, after admitting to obtaining a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate during his time at Arsenal.
According to Reuters, Swiss prosecutors imposed the penalty on Thursday, October 8, following an investigation into the midfielder’s use of a forged vaccination document in 2022.
The 34-year-old Switzerland captain received 50 daily fines of 3,000 Swiss francs each, amounting to 150,000 francs.
However, the punishment is suspended for two years, meaning Xhaka will not have to pay the fine unless he commits another offence during the probationary period.
The former Arsenal midfielder confirmed the judgment through his Instagram account, accepting responsibility for his actions.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility,” Xhaka wrote.
Xhaka accepts punishment over fake COVID-19 certificate
The midfielder explained that he obtained the fraudulent certificate because of concerns surrounding COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic.
He admitted that his distrust of the vaccine and uncertainty about its effects influenced his decision.
“Today I clearly see that I made the wrong choice. It was a mistake. I am sorry,” he said in an earlier statement.
Xhaka also confirmed that he had cooperated with prosecutors in Lucerne and had already settled the legal costs associated with the case.
The controversy emerged after Swiss authorities launched an investigation into allegations involving fraudulent vaccination certificates.
Following the revelations, Xhaka withdrew from Switzerland’s recent UEFA Nations League fixtures to address the legal proceedings.
The Swiss Football Association subsequently confirmed his absence from the national team during the international break.
Xhaka, who made 152 appearances for Switzerland, was playing for Arsenal when the incident occurred in 2022.
He subsequently joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 before returning to the Premier League with Sunderland in 2025.
Despite the legal development, Xhaka remains available for club football as Sunderland prepare for their Premier League encounter against Brighton on Saturday.
