Granit Xhaka receives suspended fine for forged Covid vaccination certificate

Sunderland and Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (£136,000) for obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The 34-year-old midfielder, who accepted the penalty via summary judgment, is expected to return to the pitch for Sunderland’s match against Brighton this Saturday.

Xhaka Pays Fine for Vaccine Certificate Offense

The penalty consists of 50 daily rates of 3,000 Swiss francs each. According to the midfielder’s statement on social media, the fine is suspended for a two-year period, contingent upon him committing no further offenses. Xhaka has already settled the associated court costs. In his statement, the player confirmed he is taking full responsibility for the decision, noting that he had previously expressed a mistrust of the vaccine during the 2022 period when such certificates were required for specific travel and venue access in Switzerland.

Timeline of Events and International Withdrawal

The controversy stems from actions taken in 2022, a time when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal. While the Swiss office of public health confirmed there was no general legal mandate to hold a certificate, the documents were necessary for participation in various activities and international travel until the spring of 2022. Following his public acknowledgment of the situation, Xhaka withdrew from the Switzerland squad during the recently concluded international break, missing Nations League fixtures against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.

Impact on Club Performance

Despite the legal proceedings, Sunderland manager Regis le Bris indicated that the captain remains in the club’s plans for the upcoming fixture. Le Bris stated that Xhaka has trained well during the international hiatus and is currently in a positive position regarding his football-related commitments. The midfielder previously led the Swiss national team to the quarter-finals of the World Cup held earlier this year, where they were eliminated by Argentina.

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