Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of £136,265 after admitting to obtaining a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
The Switzerland international, who is now playing for Sunderland, was sentenced to a suspended financial penalty of 150,000 Swiss francs. The punishment consists of 50 daily fines of 3,000 Swiss francs each, with the payment suspended for two years. Xhaka will not be required to pay the fine provided he commits no further offence during the two-year probation period. He has also paid the associated court costs.
The case brings renewed attention to an incident dating back to 2022, when Xhaka was still an Arsenal player and COVID-19 restrictions continued to affect footballers and international travel.
Granit Xhaka Accepts Responsibility After Admitting He Obtained a Fake COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate
Xhaka has accepted the court's decision and acknowledged responsibility for his actions.
The midfielder previously admitted obtaining the forged certificate while experiencing what he described as deep mistrust, fear and serious reservations surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Rather than challenging the punishment, Xhaka has accepted the outcome of the proceedings. The suspended nature of the sentence means that the former Arsenal captain will avoid paying the financial penalty as long as he does not commit another offence during the next two years.
The case was investigated by authorities in Switzerland, with Xhaka cooperating with prosecutors during the process
The incident also had consequences for his international career. Switzerland previously withdrew him from the national team while the investigation surrounding the certificate was being dealt with. The Former Arsenal Captain's Controversial Seven-Year Spell at the Emirates Was Filled With Dramatic Highs and Lows.
Xhaka joined Arsenal from Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2016 and went on to spend seven seasons at the Emirates Stadium.
His Arsenal career was far from straightforward. The midfielder became club captain but endured a difficult relationship with sections of the supporters, particularly following the infamous incident against Crystal Palace in 2019.
Xhaka was substituted during the match and reacted angrily to the reaction from Arsenal supporters. The incident resulted in him being stripped of the captaincy and appeared to signal the beginning of the end of his relationship with the club.
However, his story at Arsenal eventually changed
Under Mikel Arteta, Xhaka rebuilt his reputation and became an important figure in the midfield. His leadership, physicality and passing ability helped Arsenal mount a serious Premier League title challenge during the 2022/23 campaign.
He eventually left the club in 2023, joining Bayer Leverkusen. Xhaka Rebuilt His Reputation in Germany Before Returning to English Football With Sunderland. Xhaka's departure from Arsenal proved to be the beginning of another successful chapter in his career.
At Bayer Leverkusen, the Swiss midfielder became a key member of Xabi Alonso's historic team. Leverkusen enjoyed an extraordinary campaign, winning the Bundesliga title and German Cup while establishing themselves as one of Europe's most impressive sides.
His performances in Germany further strengthened Xhaka's reputation as an experienced midfielder and leader
He later returned to English football with Sunderland, taking on another important leadership role. Despite the latest legal controversy, Xhaka's football career remains decorated with significant achievements. He has represented Switzerland at major international tournaments and established himself as one of the country's most experienced players. The Suspended Punishment Brings a Formal End to a Controversial Chapter in Xhaka's Career
The latest ruling formally concludes the legal proceedings surrounding the forged COVID-19 certificate. For Xhaka, the episode represents another difficult chapter in a career that has already experienced its share of controversy.
The midfielder has acknowledged his mistake and accepted the punishment handed down by the Swiss authorities. Because the sentence is suspended, he will avoid paying the £136,265 fine if he remains offence-free during the two-year probation period.
Xhaka can now focus on his football career and his responsibilities as a senior player and leader. From his turbulent Arsenal years to his Bundesliga success with Bayer Leverkusen and his return to English football, Xhaka's career has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to overcome difficult moments. The latest controversy, however, will remain an important part of his story as the former Arsenal captain continues the next chapter of his career.
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