Ex-PGMOL chief expects 'charges' as Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez caught up in brawl

Oleksandr Nazarenko was fortunate not to be immediately sent off for a challenge that sparked a brawl involving Liverpool stars Dominik Szobszlai and Milos Kerkez on Friday.

That is the opinion of former head of PGMOL and FIFA referee, Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

The 26-year-old was sent off in the aftermath for a second yellow card, but could well have been shown a straight red by Jarred Gillett for the challenge.

Kerkez and Szoboszlai appeared to be in disagreement with Viktor Tsygankov following the incident, with the shoving becoming a major scuffle between both teams.

A first-half goal from Danylo Sikan would ultimately decide the game in Ukraine's favour, handing Hungary an opening day loss in the Nations League.

The Liverpool stars will hope to feature in upcoming fixtures against Northern Ireland, Georgia and Ukraine once again before the international break is over, with subsequent action unlikely to be taken.

'Both teams to be charged' after Nations League incident

While Nazarenko's challenge was poor, the speed at which the incident grew out of hand was remarkable.

Szoboszlai appeared to give Tsygankov a shove before jogging away, and the winger was keen to return the favour.

But he met Kerkez as he pursued the midfielder, and when Mykola Matviyenko decided he was next to get involved, he was thrown to the floor by the Liverpool left-back.

Cue the rest of the teams, their substitutes and staff all meeting in a shoving match on the side of the pitch as fans threw down cups and bottles.

"Nazarenko, who made this challenge, was very fortunate not to receive a red card given that it met the criteria for serious foul play," Hackett told Football Insider.

"Depending on the post match report of the referee and, of course, the match delegate (appointed to be the eyes and ears of the authorities), I expect both teams to be charged with failing to control their players."

What Dominik Szoboszlai said after the game

Szoboszlai is not usually considered a particularly aggressive player, but he is not afraid to get his hands dirty.

"Football is all about fighting. I’m proud of the team, we gave it our all, fortune wasn’t with us today," he said after the game.

"The push and shove at the end of the game shows that we’re not afraid of anyone. In the second half, the Ukrainians didn’t have much to do with the game.

"We have to continue the work that has led to success so far, and then luck will be on our side again.”