Granit Xhaka receives two years of probation over fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate

Penalty issued by Lucerne prosecutors

Granit Xhaka received a two-year probation sentence after admitting to obtaining a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination certificate. The public prosecutor's office in Lucerne delivered the ruling through a summary penalty order, concluding an inquiry into fraudulent health certificates. Under the terms of the judgment, the 34-year-old Switzerland and Sunderland captain received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs ($180,000), calculated as 50 daily penalty units of 3,000 francs each. The financial penalty will remain uncollected unless Xhaka commits an infraction during the two-year probationary period. Xhaka stated on social media on 8 October 2026 that he had accepted the decision, taken responsibility, and already paid the procedural court costs.

Origins of the certificate investigation

The case traces back to 2022 during the pandemic, when Xhaka acquired false documentation rather than taking the vaccine. Swiss news outlets reported in September that cantonal prosecutors in Lucerne were investigating a local physician suspected of distributing false vaccination certificates. Xhaka initially disputed the allegations for three days before acknowledging his involvement. In a statement published on 21 September 2026, Xhaka explained that a deep mistrust of the vaccine prompted him to bypass proper channels.

I now clearly see that this was the wrong course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry. I accept responsibility for this decision, am facing the process of addressing the facts, and am cooperating fully with the relevant authorities.

National team absence and leadership discussions

Following his admission, Xhaka sat out four Nations League matches to provide evidence to the Lucerne prosecutors handling the investigation. Swiss Football Association president Peter Knabel explained that the withdrawal from the squad was a mutual decision between the federation and the player.

We welcome Granit taking this step and facing the consequences. At the same time, we jointly concluded that it is in the team's best interest to complete this training camp without him.

Switzerland won all four of their second-tier Nations League fixtures during Xhaka's absence from the squad. Following the announcement of the verdict, the Swiss Football Association informed the Keystone-ATS news agency that officials would hold discussions with Xhaka about his international future. Knabel stated that the midfielder, who has accumulated a men's record 152 appearances for Switzerland, could return for national team matches in November.

Return to Sunderland and competitive schedule

With the legal inquiry closed, Xhaka shifts his focus back to domestic football in England. The Sunderland captain is scheduled to play on Saturday afternoon when his team hosts Brighton at the Stadium of Light. The resolution leaves Xhaka with paid legal costs and no active fine to settle unless he breaches probation rules before October 2028. The Swiss Football Association plans to reassess his standing as captain before announcing its squad list for next month's international fixtures.