In Switzerland’s football landscape, where Granit Xhaka has long carried the captain’s armband and much of the national side’s public weight, the midfielder has accepted a disciplinary ruling linked to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Xhaka, 34, has been given a fine of 150,000 Swiss francs, stated as approximately €160,000, after being found to have falsified a Covid vaccination certificate. The financial penalty will not have to be paid provided he commits no further offence during the relevant probation period.
“I accept the decision and take responsibility,” Xhaka said in response to the case. The matter had already affected his international involvement, with Switzerland leaving their first-choice captain out for four Nations League matches.
The former Arsenal player was also involved in a tense public exchange with a Newcastle supporter at a shopping centre. Footage filmed on a mobile phone showed the fan repeatedly taunting Xhaka, who reacted angrily and challenged him to come closer. The confrontation did not develop into a physical incident, though the atmosphere in the video was clearly hostile.
