By Adegboyega Adeleye
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been fined 150,000 Swiss francs (£136,000) and handed a two-year suspended sentence over his purchase of a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022.
According to Sky Sports News, the former Arsenal midfielder and Switzerland captain was sentenced by the Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office to 50 daily fines of 3,000 Swiss francs each, with a two-year probation period.
The penalty will only be enforced if Xhaka commits another offence during the probation period.
Xhaka confirmed the decision himself in a statement on his Instagram story, saying he had accepted the judgment and taken responsibility for his actions.
“A few weeks ago, I spoke out personally here and stated that I accept responsibility for my decision. I stand by that,” Xhaka said.
“Having given a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the decision has now been issued.
“I have been sentenced via a penal order for fraudulently obtaining the recording of false information in an official document; the penalty is a suspended fine of 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000, with a probationary period of two years.”
Xhaka added that he had already paid the legal costs and accepted the decision.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility,” he said.
The case dates back to 2022, when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal. He had previously admitted to obtaining a vaccination
certificate despite not being vaccinated.
Xhaka, 33, returned to the Premier League with Sunderland last year after leaving Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023. He joined Sunderland in July 2025 and remains the club captain.
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