Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka has been convicted by Lucerne prosecutors for obtaining a forged COVID-19 certificate, receiving a suspended fine totalling 150,000 Swiss francs.

The 34-year-old announced the decision himself on Thursday. The penalty, issued as a penal order, is set at 50 daily rates of CHF 3,000 each, with a two-year probation period. Xhaka will only have to pay if he commits another offence during that time.

In a statement on Instagram, the Sunderland midfielder said he had given a full statement to the prosecutor’s office, had already paid the procedural costs and accepted the ruling. “I accept the decision and take responsibility,” he wrote, thanking fans for their messages of support in recent weeks.

The case became public on 18 September, when Swiss outlet Blick reported that criminal proceedings had been opened against him. Three days later, Xhaka admitted he had bought a fake COVID-19 certificate in 2022.