Granit Xhaka Faces Suspended Fine for Fake Covid-19 Certificate

Granit Xhaka, the Sunderland and Switzerland captain, finds himself in hot water after receiving a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (around £136,000) for using a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The 34-year-old midfielder allegedly secured the fake document back in 2022, a time when it was necessary for certain travel in Switzerland. The court has stipulated that the fine will be suspended for two years, provided he stays out of trouble, and he has already settled the related court costs. In an Instagram post written in German, Xhaka expressed his accountability, stating, "A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that." He elaborated that he was sentenced to a suspended fine based on obtaining false certification, which amounted to 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each. He acknowledged the judgment and thanked his supporters for their encouragement during this challenging time. Xhaka, who was with Arsenal when the incident occurred, had previously voiced his skepticism about the vaccine through social media back in September 2022, citing feelings of mistrust and uncertainty. As Switzerland's all-time appearance leader with 152 caps, he stepped back from national duties shortly after his comments, missing matches against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia during the recent international break. Although there wasn't a blanket legal requirement for a Covid-19 certificate in Switzerland, it was essential for accessing various venues and travel options, making it tough for those without one to participate in certain activities. These regulations remained until spring 2022, after which certificates were primarily issued for international travel requirements. Xhaka led Switzerland in the World Cup earlier this year, where they bowed out in the quarter-finals against Argentina, the eventual runners-up. He is now poised to make his return to the pitch when Sunderland takes on Brighton this Saturday at 15:00 BST. Sunderland manager Regis le Bris commented on Xhaka's situation, saying, "No comment on external topics but [from] what I've seen during the international break, he has trained really well. It's positive. He's in a good place football-wise and for me that is the most important."