{
  "id": 12893271,
  "title": "JUST IN: Granit Xhaka fined £136,000 over fake COVID certificate — Report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/just-in-granit-xhaka-fined-136-000-over-fake-covid-certificate-report",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T15:28:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/just-in-granit-xhaka-fined-136000-over-fake-covid-certificate-report/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sunderland footballer Granit Xhaka has been fined £136,000 for purchasing a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022, according to a report by Sky Sports News. The Swiss Football Association's Lucerne Public Prosecutor's Office handed the suspended fine, which consists of 50 daily fines of 3,000 Swiss francs each, with a two-year probation period. Xhaka, who previously played for Arsenal, admitted to obtaining the certificate despite not being vaccinated. He accepted the judgment and took responsibility for his actions, stating he would give a full statement to prosecutors and pay legal costs. The investigation was prompted by allegations surrounding the issuance of COVID-19 certificates during the pandemic, and Xhaka was subsequently removed from Switzerland's international squad. The suspended sentence means there is currently no football ban associated with the criminal judgment, and Xhaka remains captain of Switzerland and plays for Sunderland in the Premier League.",
  "summary": "Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has received a suspended fine of £136,000 for purchasing a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. Read More: https://punchng.com/just-in-granit-xhaka-fined-136000-over-fake-covid-certificate-report/",
  "key_points": [
    "Granit Xhaka fined £136,000 for fake COVID certificate in 2022",
    "Swiss prosecutor's office imposes 50 daily fines of 3,000 CHF",
    "Xhaka admits guilt, accepts two-year probation and legal costs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Switzerland captain Xhaka gets probation in fake COVID-19 vaccination document case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/switzerland-captain-xhaka-gets-probation-in-fake-covid-19-vaccination",
        "published": "2026-10-08T13:26:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "JUST IN: Granit Xhaka fined £136,000 over fake COVID certificate — Report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/just-in-granit-xhaka-fined-136-000-over-fake-covid-certificate-report-12895590",
        "published": "2026-10-08T15:42:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Suspended fine for Xhaka over Covid-19 certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/suspended-fine-for-xhaka-over-covid-19-certificate",
        "published": "2026-10-08T17:12:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}