Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has received a suspended £136,265 fine after he obtained a fake COVID certificate.In a statement posted to his social media, Xhaka confirmed his punishment is 50 daily rates of £2,725.Xhaka can now put the fake Covid certificate fiasco behind himGettyHowever, the midfielder said it ‘will not be enforced’ so long as he stays out of trouble for the next two years.Xhaka was not included in Switzerland’s squad for the international break after he owned up to the fake certificate and was placed under investigation by Lucerne’s Public Prosecutor’s Office.Granit Xhaka issues statement after being sanctioned for fake COVID certificate“A few weeks ago, I personally spoke out here and said that I take responsibility for my decision. I stand by that,” Xhaka wrote.“After I gave a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the prosecutor’s decision has now been made.“I have been convicted by a summary penalty order for obtaining false certification, receiving a suspended monetary penalty of 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000, with a two-year probation period.“That means the penalty will not be enforced as long as I do not commit any further offences during this period. I have already paid the procedural costs.“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.”Why did Granit Xhaka obtain a fake Covid certificate?Xhaka previously stated he was ‘personally very uncertain’ and had ‘serious concerns’ about getting the COVID vaccination.“I felt deep distrust of the vaccine and was plagued by fear and uncertainty,” Xhaka said in September.Xhaka has 152 caps for Switzerland under his beltGetty“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.”Xhaka was alleged to have obtained the fake COVID certificate in 2022.Although it was not a legal requirement to have a COVID certificate, the Swiss Office of Public Health said it was essential for accessing a number of activities, including travel abroad.The measure in Switzerland was lifted in spring 2022, although COVID certificates were still issued in case they were required to enter other countries.The Sunderland star wasn’t the only player to be left out of the Swiss squad for the international break.The 34-year-old will look to lead Sunderland to a win on Saturday against BrightonGettyBreel Embolo was omitted as it emerged he too had previously obtained a fake COVID certificate.The forward was convicted by the Basel public prosecutor’s office in 2025 for multiple counts of incitement to forgery and was sentenced to 20 daily fines of approximately £2,7000, which was suspended on probation.