Sunderland and Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, approximately £136,000, after being found responsible for purchasing a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022.
The former Arsenal midfielder and Switzerland captain was sentenced by the Lucerne Public Prosecutor’s Office to 50 daily fines of 3,000 Swiss francs, with the punishment suspended for a two-year probation period. This means Xhaka will only be required to pay the fine if he commits another offence during that period.
Xhaka confirmed the decision himself on Thursday, saying that he had accepted the judgment and taken responsibility for his actions.
Xhaka’s Previous Admission
The case dates back to 2022, when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal. He had previously admitted obtaining a COVID-19 vaccination certificate despite not being vaccinated.
In September, Xhaka spoke openly about the circumstances surrounding the incident, explaining that he had been deeply uncertain about the COVID-19 vaccine at the time. He acknowledged that obtaining a certificate rather than addressing his concerns through the appropriate channels had been a mistake.
The midfielder apologised for his actions and pledged to cooperate fully with the authorities as the investigation continued.
The situation also affected his international commitments. In an agreement with the Swiss Football Association, Xhaka did not join Switzerland’s training camp in Turkey at the time and subsequently missed the country’s next four Nations League matches.
The investigation itself was launched by Swiss prosecutors following allegations surrounding fraudulent COVID-19 certificates issued during the pandemic.
By accepting the judgment, Xhaka has now brought the legal proceedings to a significant stage, although the suspended nature of the punishment means the consequences could become more serious should he commit another offence during the probation period.
From Arsenal to Sunderland
The incident occurred during Xhaka’s seven-year spell at Arsenal, where he established himself as an important midfielder after joining the Premier League club in 2016. He remained in north London until 2023 before moving to Bayer Leverkusen.
At Leverkusen, Xhaka continued to play a prominent role and was part of the side that enjoyed a remarkable domestic campaign before eventually making another move- this time back to England.
On July 30, 2025, Xhaka joined Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported initial fee of up to £17.3 million. He signed a three-year contract that keeps him at the Stadium of Light until June 30, 2028, where he is the club’s top earner.
Now 34, the experienced Switzerland international remains an important figure for both club and country. However, his latest legal case serves as a reminder of an incident from earlier in his career that has now resulted in a formal suspended financial penalty.
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