{
  "id": 12911656,
  "title": "Suspended fine for Xhaka over Covid-19 certificate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/suspended-fine-for-xhaka-over-covid-19-certificate",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T17:12:27.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport",
    "slug": "bbc-sport",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvrly346j5djo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Swiss footballer Granit Xhaka, currently playing for Sunderland, has been issued a suspended fine of £136,000 for obtaining a counterfeit Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. The 34-year-old Swiss international, who was a captain for his country, claims the fine will be suspended for two years as long as he refrains from any additional violations, and he has already settled the court fees. Xhaka expressed his acceptance of the decision and the support he received, stating that he remains committed to his actions. The midfielder, who had previously expressed doubts about the vaccine due to his mistrust, withdrew from the Swiss national team's participation in the Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. Xhaka's decision to skip the matches reflects the restrictive measures in Switzerland regarding access to activities, venues, and travel. As the World Cup approached, he captained Switzerland to a quarter-final exit against eventual champions Argentina. Following his initial statement, Xhaka withdrew from the national team. Sunderland's manager, Regis le Bris, expressed his confidence in Xhaka's fitness and positive attitude, indicating he is in good shape for the upcoming match against Brighton.",
  "summary": "Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka says he has received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (£136,000) for obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "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 Nigeria",
        "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",
        "published": "2026-10-08T15:28:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "Suspended fine for Xhaka over Covid-19 certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/suspended-fine-for-xhaka-over-covid-19-certificate-12912000",
        "published": "2026-10-08T17:12:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Swiss captain Xhaka gets suspended fine for fake Covid cert",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/swiss-captain-xhaka-gets-suspended-fine-for-fake-covid-cert",
        "published": "2026-10-08T18:28:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}