{
  "id": 13005347,
  "title": "Suspended fine for Xhaka over Covid-19 certificate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/suspended-fine-for-xhaka-over-covid-19-certificate",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T02:18:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/suspended-fine-for-xhaka-over-covid-19-certificate/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Swiss footballer Granit Xhaka, Sunderland's captain and a former player for Arsenal, has received a suspended fine of £136,000 for using a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate in 2022. The 34-year-old Swiss international, who has made 152 appearances for his country, claims he stands by his decision and accepts the court's decision. The fine is suspended for two years, provided he does not commit any further offenses and has already paid the court costs. Xhaka's statement, written in German on Instagram, expresses his responsibility for his actions and gratitude for the support he received from fans. Despite his initial decision, Xhaka withdrew from Switzerland's national team for their recent Nations League matches. The country had implemented a requirement for Covid-19 certificates for specific travel and activities until the spring of 2022, after which these measures were relaxed. Xhaka, who captained Switzerland at the World Cup this year, is set to return to action for Sunderland when they face Brighton on Saturday. Sunderland's manager, Regis le Bris, stated that Xhaka has trained well during the international break, expressing confidence in his football performance.",
  "summary": "Sunderland and Switzerland 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. The 34-year-old, who is alleged to have obtained the certificate in 2022 when it was a requirement in Switzerland for some travel abroad, says the fine is suspended for two […]",
  "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."
}