Hungary Foreign Minister Intervenes After Liverpool Player, Father Labeled 'Enemies of Ukraine'
Milos Kerkez and his father were reportedly added to a database following an on-field confrontation and a social media post, prompting diplomatic engagement.
Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez and his father have reportedly been placed on a database of individuals considered 'enemies of Ukraine' following an international match incident and a social media post by his father. The situation has prompted Hungary's deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, Anita Orban, to engage with Ukrainian government representatives.
The controversy stems from a UEFA Nations League match on September 25, where Hungary lost 1-0 to Ukraine. During the game, Kerkez intervened in a confrontation between his teammate Dominik Szoboszlai and Ukraine's Victor Tsygankov, grabbing Tsygankov by the collar. Following this, Kerkez's father, Sebastijan, is reported to have shared an image of the incident on his Instagram story accompanied by a song that some have interpreted as a reference to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As a result, both Milos and Sebastijan Kerkez are believed to have been added to Myrotvorets, a database that lists individuals deemed hostile to Ukraine. The database is not officially affiliated with the Ukrainian government. Hungarian MP Balazs Hidveghi is also reportedly on the list.
Minister Orban publicly condemned the alleged stigmatization and potential threats directed at Hungarian citizens. She stated on social media that she had been in constant consultation with Ukrainian government representatives, the Hungarian Football Federation, and the embassy to resolve the situation. Orban emphasized that sport should be about performance, community, and respect and thanked the national associations for their cooperation.
Milos Kerkez, who missed the reverse fixture against Ukraine due to suspension, downplayed any personal animosity towards his opponents. He told Hungarian outlet Telex that he does not support aggression and that his actions on the field were solely in defense of his captain and friend. He added that he would have acted similarly regardless of the opponent.
