Sunderland midfielder and Switzerland national team captain Granit Xhaka has learned the final and long-awaited decision of the prosecutor's office in the high-profile case involving the falsification of an official medical document. The famous footballer, who faced potential prison time in the worst-case scenario, managed to avoid severe punishment thanks to a lenient verdict by the Swiss law enforcement agencies.
Details of the Court Verdict
According to the ruling, the player was sentenced to a suspended financial fine of 150,000 Swiss francs. This penalty entails 50 daily rates of 3,000 francs each, subject to a two-year probation period. This means the large sum will not have to be paid provided the athlete refrains from committing any new offenses during the specified period. Furthermore, Xhaka has already fully covered all associated legal costs independently.
Admission of Guilt and Footballer's Reaction
The midfielder published the official details of his punishment on his personal Instagram page. The experienced playmaker openly stated that he fully accepts the court's decision and takes full responsibility for his previous actions. Xhaka also expressed sincere gratitude to fans and loved ones for numerous messages of support that helped him cope with intense psychological pressure over the recent weeks of the investigation.
Background of the Scandal and Career Consequences
To recap, the roots of this scandal date back to 2022, when the controversy surrounding a forged COVID-19 vaccination certificate first emerged. Only in September of this year did the footballer publicly admit that he had indeed used a fake document, explaining his actions by initial fear, intense uncertainty, and deep distrust of medical products at that time. This investigation has already tangibly affected his sports career: to resolve legal matters, he was forced to temporarily leave the Switzerland national team camp and miss crucial UEFA Nations League matches.
