Granit Xhaka has been given a suspended fine of £136,265 after being convicted of obtaining a false Covid-19 vaccination certificate while he was an Arsenal player in 2022.
The Switzerland captain admitted he had a “deep distrust” of the vaccine and obtained the certificate without using the “proper channels”. He faced a possible prison sentence of up to five years, but will not serve the 50-day sentence unless he commits another offence during a two-year probation period.
The Sunderland midfielder said he accepted the decision after providing a full statement to Swiss prosecutors.
“After I testified fully with the public prosecutor’s office, the decision of the public prosecutor’s office is now available,” Xhaka wrote on Instagram.
“I was sentenced via a summary penalty order (Strafbefehl) for obtaining a false certification (Erschleichen einer falschen Beurkundung) to a conditional fine of 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each, with a probation period of two years.
“This means: The penalty will not be enforced if I do not commit any offenses during this time. I have already paid the procedural costs.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility.”
Xhaka added: “Thank you for the many supportive messages over the past few weeks. They mean a lot to me.”
Certificate dates examined
Swiss authorities investigated a certificate believed to have been issued by family doctor Doctor Ludwig in Lucerne. Records show she signed two vaccination certificates for Xhaka, dated January 25, 2022 and November 11, 2022.
The first was issued on the eve of Arsenal’s training camp in the United Arab Emirates. The second came three days before Xhaka travelled to the Qatar World Cup.
According to Tages-Anzeiger, the November certificate was dated 11 November 2022. The following day, Arsenal won 2-0 away at Wolves in their final match before the tournament. Xhaka started but played only 16 minutes before going off with a gastrointestinal infection.
There were also questions over whether Arsenal would have approved foreign travel the day before a Premier League fixture. On the date recorded for his second vaccination, Xhaka posted a team photograph on Instagram and was presented with a framed shirt during training to mark his 200th Premier League appearance. He was also pictured training in London.
Vaccination was not compulsory for Premier League players or for travel to the Qatar World Cup and the United Arab Emirates. However, it reduced quarantine periods following close contact or international travel. Xhaka is not thought to have broken any travel laws.
Xhaka previously apologised
In September, Xhaka said he had been “personally very uncertain” about vaccination and had “serious concerns” at the time.
“I felt deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty,” he said. “In this turbulent emotional state, I obtained a vaccination certificate instead of clarifying my open questions through the proper channels.
“Today I clearly see that this was not the right course of action. It was a mistake. I am sorry.
“I take responsibility for this decision, am committed to investigating the matter, and am fully cooperating with the relevant authorities.”
Doctor Ludwig also faced criticism over her use of the cancer drug opaganib to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients, despite it not being an approved treatment. She was sarcastically labelled a “miracle doctor” by critics.
Ludwig defended the treatment as “compassionate use”, the regulated use of medicines not yet approved outside clinical trials. According to 20 Minutes, a controlled study could not prove that opaganib was effective against COVID, despite Ludwig saying it had helped individual patients.
Xhaka, Switzerland’s record appearance-holder with 152 caps, most recently captained his country to the World Cup quarter-finals in North America.
