Xhaka accepts suspended penalty in Covid certificate case
Granit Xhaka says he has been given a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs for obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The Sunderland and Switzerland captain said the penalty is suspended for two years and that he has already paid court costs. He accepted responsibility and is expected to return for Sunderland against Brighton on Saturday.
Granit Xhaka, now Sunderland and Switzerland captain, was fined 150,000 Swiss francs (£136,000), suspended for two years, over a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate obtained in 2022. He has paid court costs and accepted the summary judgment, which set 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000.
At the time he played for Arsenal and said he distrusted the vaccine, citing worry and uncertainty. Switzerland's Covid certificate measures ended in spring 2022, though certificates later remained available mainly for overseas travel. Xhaka, Switzerland's most-capped player with 152 appearances, withdrew from the latest international camp and is expected to face Brighton on Saturday.
The case may shape how some fans and Swiss residents view public figures' pandemic-era conduct, especially where rules restricted travel and venues. It could reinforce arguments about accountability, or it may be seen as a private legal matter now resolved. Sunderland supporters might focus on Xhaka's availability and form, while broader audiences could debate whether high-profile penalties deter or merely symbolise compliance. The impact is likely limited, but it may add to ongoing conversations about trust in institutions and athletes' responsibilities.