
Sport
Share
Published 15:40 8 Oct 2026 BST

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has confirmed the punishment he will face after admitting to the use of a forged Covid vaccine certificate to travel.
The 34-year-old took no part in the latest round of international fixtures, after an allegation arose that he used a forged Covid-19 vaccine passport to travel, despite himself reportedly not being vaccinated.
Writing via his Instagram account on Thursday (8 October), the Switzerland star explained in detail the sanction Swiss authorities have decided upon.
The footballer has been given a total suspended fine of £136,265 ($180,029; 150,000 CHF), which is equivalent to 50 daily rates of of £2725 ($3599; 3000 CHF), however he will not have to pay any of the fine unless he commits a further offence over the next two years.
Announcing the decision from Swiss authorities, Xhaka said: "A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that.”
“After I gave a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the public prosecutor’s decision has now been issued.
Xhaka posted an update via his Instagram account.
“I was sentenced by summary judgment for obtaining a false certification to a suspended fine of 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each, with a probationary period of two years. This means: The sentence will not be carried out if I do not commit any offenses during this period. I have already paid the court costs.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions. Thank you for the many messages of support over the past few weeks. They mean a lot to me.”
Explore more on these topics:
Quiz: Name all 30 of these obscure 2010s international football players
Take a trip back in time… It’s time to cast your mind back to the glorious days of the 2010s. Over the course of the decade, fans were blessed to witness some truly great international football tournaments. Spain’s triumph at EURO 2012, the emergence of Neymar Jr, and La Selecao’s heartbreak (7-1) in Belo Horizonte, […]
Sport
22h
Coco Gauff abuse: Star ‘draining’ days after shock exit
Coco Gauff abuse leaves her feeling ‘drained’ Coco Gauff abuse row has left the tennis star feeling drained, after she received racist messages following a controversial call in her last China Open win. Gauff has described the past few days as “draining”, after a wave of racist abuse followed her through to a fourth-round China […]
Sport
22h
Sport
Second Hull star flips car near training ground after Sorba Thomas incident
Sport