The hammer has officially fallen on Granit Xhaka, as the Sunderland captain and Switzerland midfield maestro has been handed a two-year probation sentence for obtaining a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination certificate. This long-running saga concludes with a stark reminder that even top athletes are not above the law. Xhaka's public admission draws a line under a turbulent period for the player and for Swiss football.
Key Points from the Xhaka Verdict:
- Granit Xhaka received a two-year probation sentence.
- He faces a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs for using a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination document.
- The infraction occurred in 2022 during his tenure at Arsenal, predating his move to Sunderland.
- Xhaka voluntarily withdrew from recent Switzerland national team fixtures to address the legal proceedings.
Xhaka's Legal Showdown: The Verdict Is In
The Lucerne Public Prosecutor's Office delivered its verdict, confirming Xhaka's two-year probation. Crucially, he also faced a substantial fine structured as 50 daily rates of 3,000 Swiss francs, totaling 150,000 Swiss francs. This significant penalty remains suspended, meaning Xhaka avoids immediate payment or further legal action, provided he commits no other offenses within the probationary period.
In a candid Instagram post, the 34-year-old acknowledged the decision, stating, "I accept the decision and take responsibility." He had fully cooperated with investigators, aiding a broader inquiry into a medical professional suspected of distributing these false documents across Switzerland.
Navigating the Fallout: Club, Country, and Reputation
The legal battle forced Xhaka to miss Switzerland's four recent Nations League matches. This absence allowed him to focus on the proceedings, a move agreed upon by both the player and the national federation. Despite the void left by their influential captain, Switzerland performed admirably, clinching victories in all four group games.
Sunderland, Xhaka's current club, has maintained a professional distance from the controversy. The club emphasizes that the events in question transpired years before Xhaka arrived at the Stadium of Light. The fraudulent document was obtained during the 2022 season while he was still a key figure in the Arsenal midfield, before his move to Bayer Leverkusen and subsequently Sunderland.
The Price of a 'Mistake': Xhaka's Admission
Xhaka has openly discussed the emotional turmoil that led to his ill-fated decision. He confessed to feeling deep distrust and anxiety regarding medical requirements during the 2022 season, describing himself as being in a "turbulent emotional state." This state, he admitted, led him to take a regrettable shortcut by obtaining a false certificate instead of seeking proper medical advice.
He views the entire episode as a major error in judgment, one for which he has now paid a significant personal and legal price. His transparency, though delayed, offers insight into the pressures and anxieties athletes faced during the height of the pandemic.
A Wider Shadow: Switzerland's 'Vaccine Affair'
The investigation into Xhaka is not an isolated incident. The "vaccine affair" has cast a wider shadow over Swiss football, implicating another prominent national team player. Atlanta United striker Breel Embolo was also excluded from the national squad after revelations surfaced about his own forged documents.
Embolo's case is even more unsettling, involving allegations of interaction with members of the Hells Angels gang to secure his false certificates back in 2021. A court order was issued against Embolo in late 2025, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of this ethical crisis within the Swiss game.
