{
  "id": 13000321,
  "title": "Switzerland captain Xhaka handed suspended $180,000 fine over fake Covid-19 certificate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/switzerland-captain-xhaka-handed-suspended-180-000-fine-over-fake",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T01:03:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1551029/switzerland-captain-xhaka-handed-suspended-180000-fine-over-fake"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Lucerne, Switzerland - Switzerland national football team captain Granit Xhaka has been handed a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (approximately US$180,000) for possessing a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic, according to Anadolu Ajans. The 34-year-old midfielder was found guilty of obtaining the document in 2022 due to his skepticism towards COVID-19 vaccines and admitted to the mistake.\n\nAs part of the penalty, Xhaka will pay 3,000 Swiss francs daily for 50 days. However, this fine will be lifted if he does not commit any further offenses within a two-year probation period. Xhaka accepted the decision and took responsibility for his actions, sharing the news on his Instagram social media platform.\n\nThe case was investigated by prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Lucerne, where Xhaka provided a statement. As a result, Xhaka missed four recent UEFA Nations League matches and agreed with the Swiss Football Association to sit out the international window. The Swiss Football Association stated that they would hold further discussions with Xhaka following the completion of legal proceedings.",
  "summary": "LUCERNE, (Switzerland): Switzerland national football team and Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka said Thursday that he received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (US$180,000) after admitting to obtaining a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic, Anadolu Ajansi reported.",
  "key_points": [],
  "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 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": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Swiss captain Xhaka gets six-figure fine after admitting he used forged Covid vaccine cert while at Arsenal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/swiss-captain-xhaka-gets-six-figure-fine-after-admitting-he-used",
        "published": "2026-10-09T01:38:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}