{
  "id": 12926573,
  "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",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-08T18:28:36.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/swiss-captain-xhaka-gets-suspended-182836288.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Swiss soccer captain Granit Xhaka has been fined 150,000 Swiss francs ($180,000) for using a fake Covid vaccine certificate while playing for Arsenal. The 34-year-old will not have to pay the fine if he remains offense-free for the next two years. Xhaka admitted to presenting the forged document due to his mistrust and anxiety regarding the Covid-19 vaccination. The Swiss national team midfielder withdrew from recent international matches against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia. He expressed regret for his actions and stated that he is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.",
  "summary": "Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has been fined 150,000 Swiss francs ($180,000) after admitting using a forged Covid vaccine certificate during the pandemic when he played for Arsenal.On Monday, Xhaka admitted that he had presented a forged certificate to avoid mandatory vaccination during the Covid crisis.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "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"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "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-12972528",
        "published": "2026-10-08T22:08:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Suspended fine for Xhaka over Covid-19 certificate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/08/suspended-fine-for-xhaka-over-covid-19-certificate-12971395",
        "published": "2026-10-08T22:34:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}