Milos Kerkez and his father appear to have found a way to embroil themselves in a strange minor geopolitical controversy this week as the fallout of an on-pitch scuffle in Hungary’s 1-0 defeat to Ukraine on September 25th landed the player and his father on a database of enemies of Ukraine.
Many Liverpool fans will recall Hungary captain and Liverpool teammate Dominik Szoboszlai getting into an argument with Ukraine’s Victor Tsygankov. The incident evolved to light handbags when Kerkez joined in,
but there was nothing especially noteworthy in the incident itself—which will likely leave Liverpool fans scratching their heads.
The issue came as a result of Kerkez’ father, Sebastijan Kerkez, posting an edit of the incident backed by a song called Russian Paradise by rapper AK-47 that was interpreted as a commentary on the ongoing Russian war of aggression being waged against Ukraine.
On the one hand, one imagines Kerkez the elder wasn’t thinking much beyond the banter when he posted it. On the other hand, seriously, dude? Like, seriously? Liverpool fans will perhaps remember Kerkez’ father being very eager to talk about his son’s expected move before it actually happened, which was fun from a fan point of view but did raise a few eyebrows even at the time.
Act first, think later. No filter. For the bantz. Get your son put on an enemies of Ukraine list. All in a day’s work, apparently, if you’re the father of a player who in his second season at Liverpool has yet to see him hit the heights he showed at Bournemouth and occasionally leaves fans wondering what is he thinking?
Anyhow. Here’s Kerkez the younger commenting on the whole situation:
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.
Also, it’s important that my father is not me. Whatever he does, I cannot take responsibility for his actions.
So. I mean. Thanks, dad?
In related news, Kerkez missed out on the international break’s second fixture against Ukraine, which Hungary won 2-1, due to suspension. Also, Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs has had to comment on the whole situation, so that’s fun:
I strongly condemn the stigmatisation, any form of blacklisting, and any potential threats directed at Hungarian citizens Milos Kerkez and Balazs Hidveghi [a Hungarian member of parliament also recently added to the list].
Throughout the weekend 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.
On the one hand, this all feels fundamentally silly from the outside—as well as being also potentially quite scary to be caught up in if you’re Milos Kerkez.
On the other hand, maybe next time his son gets involved in some light handbags his father will think twice before posting a hype edit that could be easily interpreted as backing the aggressor in an ongoing war involving the people engaging in said light handbags with his son. So. Yeah. Thanks, dad?
