Swiss national team star fined for falsifying vaccination certificate

Midfielder of the English “Sunderland” and the Swiss national football team Granit Xhaka said that he received a suspended fine of 150 thousand Swiss francs (about 180 thousand dollars) for purchasing a fake coronavirus vaccination certificate.

Earlier, the Swiss publication Blick reported that the Lucerne prosecutor's office had opened an investigation against Jaki on suspicion of possessing a fake COVID-19 vaccination certificate. In September, the football player admitted to forging a document.

Xhaka said on Instagram* that he was sentenced to 50 daily wages of 3 thousand Swiss francs with a probationary period of two years. The footballer noted that the punishment will not be carried out if he does not commit a new offense during the probationary period.

"A few weeks ago, I personally came forward here and said that I take responsibility for my decision. Now there is a decision from the prosecutor's office. I have already paid all the procedural costs. I accept the decision and take responsibility. Thank you for your messages of support over the past few weeks. They mean a lot to me," Xhaka wrote.

Xhaka is 33 years old and holds the Swiss national team record for most appearances (152).