Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, around £136,000, after being convicted over his acquisition of a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022.
The Switzerland and Sunderland captain confirmed the outcome of the case on Thursday, saying he accepts the decision and takes responsibility for his actions.
Xhaka was sentenced to 50 daily fines of 3,000 Swiss francs, with the punishment suspended for a two-year probation period.
This means the fine will only be enforced if he commits another offence during that period. He has already paid the procedural costs.
The 34-year-old had been under investigation by prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Lucerne after admitting last month that he had obtained a false vaccination certificate during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“After I gave a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the prosecutor’s decision has now been made,” Xhaka said in a statement.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility.”
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The case dates back to 2022, when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal and Covid-related restrictions and vaccination requirements still affected international travel and access to certain activities.
Xhaka previously explained that he had been deeply uncertain about the Covid vaccine and allowed fear and mistrust to influence his decision.
He said he obtained the vaccination certificate instead of addressing his concerns through the appropriate channels, later acknowledging that it was the wrong decision.
The admission led to Xhaka withdrawing from Switzerland’s squad during the recent international window while he cooperated with the Lucerne prosecutors. Switzerland won all four of its Nations League matches without its captain.
His latest punishment does not amount to a two-year football suspension. Instead, it is a suspended financial penalty attached to a two-year probation period.
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The Swiss Football Association has acknowledged the prosecutors’ decision and indicated that it will now discuss Xhaka’s future with the player. His international future had been left open after he missed the recent Nations League fixtures.
Xhaka remains eligible for club football and is expected to return to Sunderland duty, with the Premier League side scheduled to face Brighton this weekend.
The midfielder, who is Switzerland’s record men’s international appearance holder with 152 caps, joined Sunderland in 2025 after spells with Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen.
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