Sunderland's Granit Xhaka Fined for Fraudulent COVID Certificate

Granit Xhaka, the 34-year-old captain of Sunderland, has been fined £136,265 after admitting to acquiring a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic. This incident dates back to 2022 when he was playing for Arsenal.

The Swiss authorities issued a penalty order, resulting in a suspended fine equivalent to 50 daily rates of 3,000 Swiss francs, totaling 150,000 Swiss francs or approximately £136,265. Xhaka's punishment includes a two-year probation period, meaning the fine will only be enforced if he commits another offense during this time.

He has already paid the court costs and publicly accepted responsibility for his actions, stating he would take responsibility for his decision. The Swiss Football Association confirmed its awareness of the prosecutor's decision and indicated that discussions regarding Xhaka's future would follow this outcome.