Overview
- Xhaka confirmed on Thursday that he was convicted by summary penalty order and sentenced to 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each with a two-year probation period.
- He has said he obtained the false COVID-19 vaccination certificate in 2022 because he felt deep mistrust of the vaccine, has accepted responsibility and cooperated fully with Lucerne prosecutors.
- The fine is suspended and will not be enforced provided Xhaka commits no further offences during the two-year probation, and he says he has already paid the court costs.
- Prosecutors are still investigating who produced and distributed forged certificates, with media and authorities scrutinising a Lucerne doctor and noting links to earlier cases such as Breel Embolo.
- Sporting effects have included Xhaka’s absence from Switzerland’s recent international window while he dealt with the inquiry and the ruling does not bar him from club play for Sunderland.