Milos Kerkez breaks silence after 'Myrotvorets' database blacklisting

Hungary defender Milos Kerkez has broken his silence after he and his father, Sebastijan, were added to the Myrotvorets database. The development followed a heated Nations League encounter between Hungary and Ukraine, which saw Ukraine secure a 1-0 victory.

Tensions flared during the Group B2 clash when an argument broke out between Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai and Ukraine midfielder Viktor Tsygankov. Kerkez intervened during the altercation, grabbing Tsygankov by the collar to defend his teammate. The situation escalated further when the player's father shared a photo of the incident on social media, set to a song deemed provocative in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Speaking to Hungarian media, Kerkez distanced himself from the political fallout. "I have never supported and I do not support any aggression in my life," the defender stated. "In a football match, there is always tension, and all I did was defend our captain, my friend. It is also important to note that my father is not me; I cannot take responsibility for his actions."

The listing prompted diplomatic intervention from the Hungarian government. Deputy Prime Minister Anita Orban condemned the blacklisting and confirmed that she has been in consultation with Ukrainian officials and the Hungarian Football Federation to resolve the issue.

Despite the controversy, Hungary remains in contention to top their group. Kerkez missed the following match due to suspension as the off-field narrative continued to unfold. The Nations League group remains tightly contested, with important fixtures scheduled for November.