Xhaka given suspended 150,000-franc fine over fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate
Sunderland and Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka said on Instagram he received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs after admitting he obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate. The fine is not enforced if there is no further offence in two years.
Updated (version 2). Rewritten with the latest reporting.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2Granit Xhaka, captain of Sunderland and of the Switzerland national team, said on Thursday 8 October 2026 that he had received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs (about $180,000) after admitting he obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate. CNAN “Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs ($180,159) after admitting he obtained a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate” Read at CNA ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs ($180,000) after admitting to obtaining a fake coronavirus vaccination certificate during the pandemic” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 2The fine is made up of 50 daily penalties of 3,000 francs. It will not be enforced if the 34-year-old midfielder commits no further offence during a two-year probation period. CNAN “The fine comprises 50 daily penalties of 3,000 francs and will not be enforced provided Xhaka commits no further offence during a two-year probationary period.” Read at CNA ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “would not be enforced if he committed no additional offenses during a two-year probation period” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 1Xhaka announced the outcome on Instagram, writing in German that the sentence was handed down by summary judgment, that the court costs were already paid, and: "I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions." Xhaka also thanked people for messages of support over the past few weeks. CNAN “I was sentenced by summary judgment for obtaining a false certification to a suspended fine of 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each, with a probationary period of two years.”“I accept the decision and take responsibility for my actions. Thank you for the many messages of support over the past few weeks.” Read at CNA ↗
Centre · 2Xhaka had admitted the matter the previous month, saying the certificate was obtained at a time of deep mistrust of and serious reservations about COVID-19 vaccines. Anadolu Agency adds that it was obtained in 2022 and that Xhaka described the decision as a mistake. CNAN “Xhaka admitted last month that he had obtained the false certificate at a time when he harboured deep mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines and had serious reservations about them.” Read at CNA ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “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.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 2According to CNA, Xhaka cooperated fully with prosecutors. Anadolu Agency reports the case was investigated by prosecutors in the canton of Lucerne, where Xhaka gave a statement. CNAN “had since cooperated fully with prosecutors” Read at CNA ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “The case was investigated by prosecutors in the Swiss canton of Lucerne, where Xhaka provided a statement.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗ Centre · 2Xhaka missed four UEFA Nations League matches in the recent international window: two against North Macedonia and one each against Scotland and Slovenia, according to CNA. CNA says Swiss Football Association president Peter Knaebel said Xhaka had been left out of the squad. Anadolu Agency says Xhaka and the association agreed that Xhaka would sit out the window. CNAN “Swiss Football Association president Peter Knaebel said Xhaka had been left out of Switzerland’s squad for the recent international window.” Read at CNA ↗ Anadolu AgencyN “after he and the Swiss Football Association agreed that he would sit out the international window” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Centre · 1Xhaka is Switzerland's most-capped male footballer, with 152 appearances. The Swiss Football Association said it would hold further discussions with Xhaka once the legal proceedings had concluded. Anadolu AgencyN “Switzerland's most-capped male footballer with 152 appearances”“The Swiss Football Association said it would hold additional discussions with Xhaka following the conclusion of legal proceedings.” Read at Anadolu Agency ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets report the outcome as a straightforward news item based on Xhaka's Instagram statement, leading with the amount and the suspended nature of the fine.
- Emphasis
- The fine's structure, the probation period, Xhaka's acceptance of responsibility and the missed Nations League matches. Anadolu adds the 2022 date, the Lucerne prosecutors and the Swiss FA's planned discussions; CNA adds Xhaka's full statement and the match details.
- Leaves out or plays down
- CNA does not give the year of the certificate or the Lucerne prosecutors; Anadolu omits Xhaka's thanks for support and the opponents in the missed matches.
- Charged language
- “fake”“fraudulent vaccination document”
- For example
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“Xhaka admitted last month that he had obtained the false certificate at a time when he harboured deep mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines” — CNA
“Sunderland captain accepts penalty subject to 2-year probation period after admitting obtaining fraudulent vaccination document” — Anadolu Agency
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Xhaka received a suspended fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, made up of 50 daily penalties of 3,000 francs.
- The fine is not enforced if there is no further offence during a two-year probation period.
- Xhaka admitted last month to obtaining the fake certificate, citing mistrust of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Xhaka missed four Nations League matches for Switzerland.
Where accounts differ
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Why Xhaka missed the Switzerland matches
- Centre
- CNA says Swiss FA president Peter Knaebel said Xhaka was left out of the squad; Anadolu says Xhaka and the association agreed that Xhaka would sit out the window.
Granit Xhaka person
Xhaka says they accept the decision and take responsibility, stands by their earlier public statement, and says the court costs are already paid.
“A few weeks ago, I spoke personally here and said that I would take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that,” — CNA
“"I accept the decision and take responsibility," Xhaka wrote” — Anadolu Agency
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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CNAN ·
Xhaka handed suspended fine over fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate
Neutral Straight report built around Xhaka's Instagram statement, with background on the admission and the missed matches.
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Switzerland captain Xhaka handed suspended $180,000 fine over fake COVID-19 certificate
Neutral Short factual report stressing the penalty terms, the 2022 certificate and the Swiss FA's follow-up talks.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 8 Oct 17:06 First CNAN Xhaka handed suspended fine over fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate
- 8 Oct 18:33 +1h 27m Anadolu AgencyN Switzerland captain Xhaka handed suspended $180,000 fine over fake COVID-19 certificate
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.