{
  "id": 12975926,
  "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-12975926",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-08T22:08:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/09/swiss-captain-xhaka-gets-suspended-fine-for-fake-covid-cert"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Swiss football captain Granit Xhaka has been fined 150,000 Swiss francs ($180,000) for using a forged Covid vaccine certificate while playing for Arsenal during the pandemic. The 34-year-old was sentenced by a summary judgment and will not have to pay the fine if he remains offense-free for a two-year probation period. Xhaka admitted to presenting the false certification to avoid mandatory vaccination and expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he made a \"wrong choice\" and is sorry. He also thanked supporters for their messages of encouragement. Xhaka, Switzerland's most capped player with 152 appearances, withdrew from recent Nations League matches against Scotland, North Macedonia, and Slovenia due to the incident. The Swiss team is scheduled to play Slovenia on November 13 and Scotland on November 16 as part of the competition.",
  "summary": "Granit Xhaka admitted presenting a forged certificate to avoid mandatory Covid vaccination, citing deep mistrust of the vaccine.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "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": "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"
      },
      {
        "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."
}