Mesut Özil Added to Myrotvorets Database Following FIFA Criticism
Former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Özil has been entered into the controversial Ukrainian database Myrotvorets, international media outlets report. The 38-year-old former German international drew the listing after criticizing FIFA for what he termed a double standard in its treatment of Russian and Israeli teams.
According to the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, Özil is accused of spreading Russian propaganda narratives, supporting military action against Ukraine, and contributing to information operations directed against the country. Polish outlet Przegląd Sportowy Onet and Azerbaijani site İdman.Biz also covered the registration.
Criticism of FIFA Triggers Inclusion
The backlash stemmed from comments Özil made following a veterans match between Istanbul Başakşehir and Russian club Zenit St. Petersburg, Dagbladet reported. He questioned why Russian teams remain barred from international football tournaments following the invasion of Ukraine while Israeli squads face no comparable sanctions.
FIFA has not imposed sanctions on Israeli teams, while equivalent measures have been introduced against Russian teams,
Özil stated, according to international media coverage.
Özil has not publicly commented on the database listing.
The History and Controversy of Myrotvorets
Myrotvorets, which translates to peacemaker in Norwegian, was established in 2014 by an organization that aggregates dossiers on individuals deemed hostile to Ukraine’s national security. The database tracks politicians, military figures, activists, and journalists who visit occupied territories or express views aligning with Russian interests.
The site functions as an independent registry rather than an official government sanctions list, meaning inclusion carries no formal criminal conviction. However, its history involves severe security controversies. In May 2016, Myrotvorets published personal data belonging to more than 4,000 Ukrainian and international journalists who held reporting accreditation in separatist-held eastern Ukraine, accusing them of collaborating with terrorist organizations.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe strongly condemned the release. This is a highly alarming development that can further endanger journalists’ safety,
stated Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE representative on freedom of the media at the time, on May 11, 2016. The International Federation of Journalists also denounced the publication.
Critics frequently label the registry a kill list because two figures who had personal details published in 2015—politician Oleg Kalashnikov and journalist Oles Buzina—were subsequently killed, though investigators have not established a direct causal link between the database entries and the homicides. The site has also displayed the word liquidated
over photographs of deceased individuals.
Questions about Mesut Özil and the Myrotvorets database
What specific accusations does Mesut Özil face on the platform?
According to the Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, the former footballer is accused of spreading Russian propaganda narratives and supporting military operations against Ukraine.
How have international journalism organizations responded to the database?
Groups such as the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the International Federation of Journalists have previously criticized the platform for publishing personal data that could endanger reporters.
Has Mesut Özil addressed the database registration?
As of reporting, Özil has not issued any public statement regarding his inclusion in the Myrotorets registry.
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