Swiss captain Xhaka gets suspended fine for fake Covid cert

Swiss footballer Granit Xhaka has been handed a 150,000 Swiss franc ($180,000) suspended fine for using a counterfeit Covid vaccine certificate while playing for Arsenal during the pandemic, according to wire material. The 34-year-old captain will not have to pay the fine if he maintains good behavior for a two-year probationary period.

Xhaka, Switzerland's most capped player with 152 international appearances, admitted to presenting the forged document to circumvent mandatory vaccination during the Covid crisis. In a statement on Instagram, the German-speaking player expressed remorse for his actions, acknowledging that he made a "wrong choice" and was "gripped by anxiety and doubt" about the vaccine.

Xhaka had to withdraw from Switzerland's Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia in the recent international break after admitting to the offense. The player is currently without a club, having moved from Arsenal to Bayern Leverkusen in 2022 and subsequently to Sunderland in 2025. Switzerland will face Slovenia on November 13 and Scotland on November 16 as part of the Nations League.