Suspended fine for Xhaka over Covid-19 certificate

Sunderland and Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka says he has received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (£136,000) for obtaining a forged Covid-19 vaccination certificate.

The 34-year-old, who is alleged to have obtained the certificate in 2022, when it was required in Switzerland for travel abroad, says the fine is suspended for two years, provided he does not commit any further offences, and that he has already paid the court costs.

The Swiss office of public health had confirmed that while there was never a general legal requirement to obtain or hold such a certificate, it was needed for access to various activities, venues and travel, meaning that participation was restricted for anyone who did not possess one.