Sunderland Star Granit Xhaka Shares Statement On Covid-19 Vaccine Investigation Outcome

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka will not face a footballing ban, but has been given a suspended fine, following the outcome of his COVID-19 vaccine certificate investigation.

In the early days of the international break, bombshell reports emerged that Xhaka had admitted to obtaining a false COVID-19 vaccination certificate during the pandemic, which led to the veteran midfielder withdrawing from the Swiss squad.

Xhaka apologised at the time in a statement on social media, explaining that the incident was "a mistake", and that he would cooperate fully with the Swiss authorities to resolve the matter.

During the international break, the 34-year-old Sunderland skipper held talks with the Swiss authorities to resolve the case, and he offered a further update on social media today to outline the extent of his punishment.

In his social media statement, Xhaka thankfully outlined that he will face no punishment on the matter in a footballing sense, but that he has been given a suspended fine by the Swiss authorities for his actions.

Additionally, the former Arsenal midfielder noted that he has "paid the procedural costs" of the process, and that he took responsibility in accepting the decision.

Xhaka said on Instagram: "A few weeks ago, I personally spoke out here and said that I take responsibility for my decision.

“I stand by that. After I gave a full statement to the public prosecutor’s office, the prosecutor’s decision has now been made.

"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."

As a result, Xhaka is free to return to the Swiss national squad for the November international break to continue as captain, and the Sunderland midfield metronome can now put the matter behind him with no footballing sanction for the incident.

With the matter now resolved with the Swiss authorities, Xhaka's focus will be on leading Sunderland in the second stage of the season, with a testing run of seven games in three weeks across the Premier League, Europa League and the EFL Cup, starting with Saturday's visit of high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion in the top flight.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris remained tight-lipped on the legalities of the matter, but made clear that Xhaka has maintained professionalism and his stellar standards during the international break when away from the Swiss squad.

Le Bris said in his pre-Brighton press conference: "No comment on external topics, but what I've seen during the international break, he has trained really well. So it's really positive.

The Swiss veteran has been typically outstanding for Sunderland at the start of his second season at the Stadium of Light, with the ex-Bayer Leverkusen figurehead proving that age is just a number in football with Xhaka in the Premier League's top ten for total distance run.

With the Seagulls setting sail to Sunderland on Saturday third in the Premier League, Xhaka and his Black Cats teammates will have to be at their absolute best to take three points from Fabian Hurzeler's side this weekend.