Granit Xhaka has publicly accepted a suspended fine and two-year probation after a Swiss summary penalty order over a false COVID certification. Sunderland's captain said he takes responsibility, and the sanction comes to 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000, with ChronicleLive putting the total at £136,266.75.
Xhaka's statement
"A few weeks ago, I personally spoke out here and said that I take responsibility for my decision," Granit Xhaka said, quoted by chroniclelive.co.uk. "I stand by that."
He added that he had given a full statement to the public prosecutor's office, that the decision had now been made, and that he had already paid the procedural costs. The two-year probation means the suspended monetary penalty will not be enforced unless he commits any further offences during that period.
Xhaka also said: "I accept the decision and take responsibility. Thank you for the many supportive messages over the past few weeks. They mean a lot to me."
The sanction and the club backdrop
ChronicleLive says the punishment is 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000, worth £136,266.75, and that it is suspended. The club context is not the point of the case, but Sunderland's start to the Premier League season has been poor enough that the story lands in an uneasy atmosphere.
Sunderland are 14th after five matches with 4 points. They have scored 6 league goals and conceded 10, and Xhaka has already made 5 Premier League appearances this season.
The key fact is still the same one Xhaka put first himself. He has accepted the order, paid the procedural costs, and now faces two years of probation while the suspended penalty sits in place.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →
