Switzerland and Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has been handed a two-year suspended sentence and fined 150,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to about £136,265, after admitting to obtaining a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate.
The 34-year-old midfielder confirmed the punishment on Thursday, saying he accepts the decision and takes responsibility for his actions.
The fine is suspended for two years, meaning it will not be enforced provided Xhaka does not commit another offence during the probation period. He has also paid the associated court costs.
The case relates to an incident in 2022 when Xhaka was playing for Arsenal. He had previously admitted obtaining the certificate amid concerns and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 vaccination.
The Swiss footballer later described the decision as a mistake and cooperated with prosecutors in Lucerne during the investigation.
Xhaka, who holds Switzerland’s record for men’s international appearances with 152 caps, had been left out of the national team during the recent Nations League fixtures while the investigation was ongoing.
The Swiss Football Association is expected to assess the situation following the conclusion of the legal proceedings.
