Switzerland captain Xhaka handed suspended $180,000 fine over fake Covid-19 certificate

LUCERNE, (Switzerland): Switzerland national football team and Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka said Thursday that he received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (US$180,000) after admitting to obtaining a fake Covid-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic, Anadolu Ajansi reported.

The 34-year-old midfielder said the penalty, comprising 50 daily fines of 3,000 francs, would not be enforced if he committed no additional offences during a two-year probation period.

"I accept the decision and take responsibility," Xhaka wrote on social media platform Instagram.

Xhaka admitted last month that he obtained the certificate in 2022 because of his mistrust of Covid-19 vaccines, describing his decision as a mistake.

The case was investigated by prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Lucerne, where Xhaka provided a statement.

Xhaka, Switzerland's most capped male footballer with 152 appearances, missed four recent UEFA Nations League matches after he and the Swiss Football Association agreed that he would sit out the international window.

The Swiss Football Association said it would hold additional discussions with Xhaka following the conclusion of legal proceedings. — BERNAMA