A Liverpool player at the heart of a controversy in Ukraine

Milos Kerkez finds himself at the heart of a controversy that goes well beyond football. The Liverpool defender was added to the Myrotvorets website, which publishes information about people presented as “enemies of Ukraine.” The situation prompted Hungary’s foreign minister, Anita Orbán, to intervene publicly.

An incident during Hungary-Ukraine

The affair stems from the Nations League encounter between Hungary and Ukraine, played on September 25 and won 1-0 by the visitors. At the end of the match, several players were involved in an altercation. Kerkez notably came into contact with Ukraine’s Viktor Tsyhankov, whom he grabbed by the collar.

The context then became much more sensitive after a post by the player’s father, Sebastijan Kerkez. He shared an image of the incident on Instagram accompanied by the song Russian Paradise, performed by the Russian group AK-47. According to Telex, the post sparked strong reactions in Ukraine. Kerkez and his father were subsequently added to the Myrotvorets database.

Kerkez rejects any accusation of supporting aggression

The Liverpool player was quick to distance himself from the accusations levelled against him. In comments reported by Telex, Kerkez explained that he had “never” supported any form of aggression. He described his intervention on the pitch as a way of defending Dominik Szoboszlai, his captain and friend.

The defender also stressed that his father’s actions could not be attributed to him. This clarification is important, as his inclusion on Myrotvorets has now exposed him to a political spotlight he had obviously not sought.

The Hungarian government intervenes

The controversy eventually took on a diplomatic dimension. Hungary’s foreign minister, Anita Orbán, condemned the listing of Kerkez and politician Balázs Hidvéghi on the website. She explained that she had held consultations with Ukrainian representatives, the Hungarian Football Federation, the embassy and her colleagues in an effort to help resolve the situation.

The minister above all recalled one essential point: Myrotvorets is not an official website of the Ukrainian state, and the exact identities of those responsible for it have not been clearly established. For Kerkez, the affair comes as he continues his rise at the highest level. Having joined Liverpool, the Hungarian defender must now deal with a controversy born of an international incident and amplified by social media.

Aliou Toundé |

Editorfr

Related teams and leagues

Hungary

Ukraine

UEFA Nations League B