Hungary's deputy prime minister, Anita Orban, has criticised the inclusion of Liverpool left-back Milos Kerkez on an "enemies of Ukraine" list. The defender has been classified as a "provocateur" on the online database maintained by Myrotvorets, a non-governmental organisation (NGO).
Accusations and context
The site accuses the Liverpool defender of "participation in acts of humanitarian aggression against Ukraine" and "support for Russian aggression and murders of Ukrainian citizens by Russian-fascist invaders." Myrotvorets presents itself as a centre dedicated to "the study of signs of crimes against the national security of Ukraine, peace, humanity, and the international law and order".
The grounds for Kerkez's inclusion stem from the Nations League fixture between Hungary and Ukraine in Budapest last month. During the encounter, the left-back seized opposition player Victor Tsygankov by his shirt collar following a confrontation with Dominik Szoboszlai.
Player's response
Speaking to Hungarian media outlet Telex about the incident, Kerkez stated: "Personally, I have never supported, and I do not support any aggression in my life. I am not a person who considers anything that harms others acceptable."
"At the same time, there is always tension in a football match, and in the match against Ukraine, all I did was defend our captain, my friend, and I would have done this even if any other country had been our opponent."
Father's role and fallout
Yet this does not explain what transpired following the final whistle. His father, Sebastian Zahn Kerkez, published a photograph of the altercation on his Instagram story. The post contained audio from a track entitled "Russian Paradise" by rap outfit AK-47, which is the reason he also features on the list.
Kerkez's father has similarly been labelled a "provocateur", facing accusations of "propaganda of Russian fascism and Nazism" alongside "public support for Russian aggression and the murder of Ukrainian citizens."
His son was absent from the return fixture on Monday, which Hungary claimed 2-1 in Trnava, Slovakia. Nevertheless, this was owing to a suspension through yellow-card accumulation rather than a deliberate omission by head coach Marco Rossi in response to the controversy.
Official condemnation
In a Facebook post, Orban stated: "I strongly condemn the stigmatisation, any form of blacklisting, and any potential threats directed at Hungarian citizens, Milos Kerkez and Balazs Hidveghi." The latter is a Hungarian MP who also appears on Myrotvorets.
"Throughout the weekend, alongside the government meeting, I was in constant consultation with Ukrainian government representatives, the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ), the embassy, and my colleagues to ensure that all parties involved took action within their respective spheres to resolve the situation."
"Sport should be about performance, community, and respect. I thank the two national associations for their cooperation."
