Swiss captain Granit Xhaka faces a suspended CHF 150,000 fine after falsifying a Covid vaccine certificate.
Swiss international and Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka was found guilty of obtaining a falsified Covid-19 vaccination certificate while playing for Arsenal in 2022. The Lucerne public prosecutor’s office issued a summary penalty order that forebodes a possible five-year prison term, yet the court opted for a suspended financial sanction instead of incarceration.
Legal outcome and financial penalty
The judgment translates into a conditional fine of 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each, amounting to a total of CHF 150,000. Because the penalty is suspended, Xhaka will not have to pay the sum provided he avoids any further offences during a two-year probation period.
He has already covered the procedural costs and publicly accepted the decision, stating that he takes full responsibility for his actions.
Timeline of the forged certificates
Records show that Dr. Andrea Ludwig, a physician based in Lucerne, signed two vaccination documents for Xhaka: one dated 25 January 2022 and another dated 11 November 2022.
The latter coincides with the day Arsenal trained in London and celebrated Xhaka’s 200th Premier League appearance. Only 24 hours later, Arsenal travelled to Wolves for a match that Xhaka started but left after 16 minutes due to a gastrointestinal infection. The certificates were not required for Premier League participation, yet they would have shortened quarantine periods after close contact or travel.
Player’s statements and personal reflections
In September, Xhaka posted on Instagram that he was “personally very uncertain and had serious concerns” about the vaccine, describing his state as one of “deep distrust.” He admitted that, in that emotional turmoil, he obtained a certificate instead of seeking clarification through official channels. The midfielder later wrote, “I take responsibility for this decision, I stand by that, and I am sorry.” He also confirmed that he fully cooperated with investigators and has paid the court costs.
Impact on the national team and broader repercussions
Following the legal proceedings, Xhaka missed four UEFA Nations League matches for Switzerland, a stretch in which the national side won all its games. Swiss Football Association president Peter Knabel indicated that Xhaka’s status would be reassessed after the international break, emphasizing that the team’s performance remained the priority. The case also shone a light on Dr. Ludwig, who faced criticism for using the experimental cancer drug opaganib on Covid patients under “compassionate use,” a practice that later proved ineffective in controlled studies.
Wider context and similar incidents
The incident has reverberated beyond Xhaka. Other Swiss internationals, such as Atlanta United striker Breel Embolo, have been linked to falsified documents, prompting a broader inquiry into the supply chain of unofficial certificates. While the Covid-19 vaccine was not mandatory for travel to Qatar or Dubai during the World Cup, the legal fallout demonstrates how personal decisions can intersect with sporting obligations and national regulations.
