Switzerland and Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka said Thursday that he has received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, approximately $180,000, for obtaining a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
Xhaka, 34, said in a social media post Thursday that the fine will not be enforced as long as he does not commit another offense during a two-year probationary period. He added that he already has paid associated court costs.
Xhaka obtained the fraudulent certificate in 2022 when he was playing for Arsenal, according to multiple reports. He said in September that he had a “deep mistrust of the vaccine” at the time and was in a “state of emotional turmoil.”
“A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that,” Xhaka said in a social media post Thursday. “After I gave a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the public prosecutor’s decision has now been issued.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions. Thank you for the many messages of support over the past few weeks. They mean a lot to me.”
Xhaka has a record 152 caps for Switzerland. However, he apologized for the fraudulent certificate in September, calling it a “mistake.” Xhaka subsequently missed four UEFA Nations League matches in the second-tier group, all of which Switzerland won, while “facing the process of addressing the facts” with authorities in Lucerne.
Peter Knabel, the president of the Swiss Football Association, said Xhaka’s status with the team would be re-evaluated during the international break.
“We welcome Granit taking this step and facing the consequences. At the same time, we jointly concluded that it is in the team’s best interest to complete this training camp without him,” Knabel said.
“After the conclusion of this international match window, we will reassess the situation together with Granit and discuss the next steps.”
–Field Level Media
