Xhaka fined for Covid-19 vaccine fraud as Swiss captain
In a quiet office in Lucerne, the Swiss captain typed a short message on Instagram, confirming a fine linked to Covid-19 vaccine fraud. Granit Xhaka posted the update on Thursday (8), drawing immediate attention from the football community.
Fine details
The court imposed a penalty of fifty days‑fine, each day worth 3,000 Swiss francs, amounting to a total of 150,000 francs (about R$ 905,915). The sanction carries a two‑year probation period during which no further infractions will trigger execution of the fine.
At 34 years old, Xhaka has been omitted from the recent Liga das Nações fixtures and will miss the latest Swiss national team call‑up. His absence follows the revelation of the falsified Covid-19 vaccination certificates.
Granit Xhaka accepts 150,000 Swiss franc fine over vaccine certificates
During a hearing at the Lucerne prosecutor’s office, Xhaka admitted the wrongdoing, stating, “I accept the decision and assume my responsibility.” He added that he has already paid the court costs.
The former Basel, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal midfielder said the pandemic left him “gripped by anxiety and doubts” and “suspicious of the vaccines,” explaining why he resorted to two fake certificates.
The story first appeared on Gazeta Esportiva (Futebol). Readers are encouraged to visit the Canal da Gazeta Esportiva on YouTube and Siga a Gazeta Esportiva on Instagram for further updates.