Granit Xhaka Convicted Over Forged Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate

Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has avoided a potential prison sentence after being convicted of obtaining a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The Sunderland midfielder was handed a substantial suspended fine following a legal investigation in Switzerland into incidents dating back to 2022.

The court issued a penalty totaling approximately £136,266, structured as 50 daily rates of 3,000 Swiss francs. Xhaka will also serve a two-year probation period. Under this arrangement, the fine will not be enforced as long as the player commits no further offenses during the next 24 months. The Swiss international has already settled the procedural costs associated with the case.

A Mistake from the Past

According to media reports, the forged documents were obtained while Xhaka was still playing for Arsenal. The certificates were reportedly dated near key travel dates, including a mid-season training camp in the United Arab Emirates and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. While vaccination was not mandatory for Premier League participation, having a certificate allowed players to bypass certain quarantine restrictions and travel more freely.

Xhaka addressed the situation on social media, admitting that his actions were driven by a deep distrust and fear of the vaccine during the height of the pandemic. He expressed regret for not seeking answers through official channels and accepted full responsibility for the error in judgement.

"I was personally very uncertain and had serious concerns at the time. It was a mistake. I am sorry."

Granit Xhaka

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has stood by his player, choosing to focus on Xhaka's professional contributions on the pitch. The midfielder is expected to remain available for the Black Cats' upcoming fixtures, with the manager emphasizing that legal matters outside the club are not his primary concern.

"It is not my area to speak about those problems or situations. My area is football."

Regis Le Bris