A concerning episode in the world of water polo governance has emerged, involving our CEO, Marko Stefanek, and Gergely Csurka, a member of the European Aquatics (former LEN) media team member and the Hungarian Waterpolo Federation’s communications manager. The incident spotlights the challenges faced by media in the sports sector, particularly in water polo, and raises significant questions about EA’s commitment to ethical conduct and media freedom.
The Startling Message to Total Waterpolo’s CEO
On January 12, 2024, Marko Stefanek received an unsettling message from Gergely Csurka (obviously triggered by our criticism of EA’s work) on his private Facebook account. This unsolicited message, with its implicit undertones of intimidation and control, referenced Stefanek’s history in water polo and ominously hinted at the power dynamics within the sport. Csurka, who works closely with Tamas Gyarfas – sentenced in a high-profile media owner murder case – delivered a message that Stefanek described as deeply troubling for both him and his family. Here is what he wrote:
“It’s been 30 years, madman. You were in kindergarten when I first reported from the Europeans in Sheffield in 1993. I’ve written seven water polo books since then (the last one this December), thousands of articles, have run water polo dedicated TV shows (including one today), and done loads of other stuff. Yes, this includes my years with LEN and FINA, also as a top manager of the organizing committees for the Europeans, World Champs, and Final6s held in Budapest. So, if you spend ten more hardworking years in the sport while I stop what I’m doing (not planning though), you have a chance to catch up. As for milking – you pulled off LEN with a lot more money for zero results than any other entity any time around the federation. Better to control your temper, as TWP is a brilliant media platform for this sport. Don’t ruin the job you guys are doing.”
European Aquatics is silent about the incident
After the incident, Stefanek requested the official standpoint from European Aquatics on this matter, requesting answers to the following questions:
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On what legal basis does Gergely Csurka have access to confidential details of the contract between LEN and my company?
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Does LEN endorse the actions of its employees who send messages to owners of media outlets suggesting that they need to “control their temper” or risk “ruining the job they’re doing”?
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What measures will LEN implement to prevent future instances of its employees exhibiting threatening behavior towards media representatives?
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Given the extensive history of ethical code breaches by your Head of Communications, Mr. Nick Davies, in matters of media relations, how can the public be confident that this incident is isolated and not representative of LEN’s broader media strategy?
By now, we haven’t received any answers for them
“We won’t be silenced!”
In response to this unpleasant situation, Stefanek expressed his unease, stating:
“The fact that such a threat comes from Gergely Csurka, a long-time close associate of people involved in murder sentence involving the media owner, is not at all comfortable for my family.
The lack of reaction from EA also does not surprise me when we know that their head of communications, Nick Davies, also has a stormy past involving the truth and the media. I am sure they are not comfortable seeing public criticism of their work, but they, and everyone else who supports their behavior, must be aware that Total Waterpolo won’t be silenced.”
Implications and ethical responsibility
This incident reflects the broader challenges of maintaining media independence in sports governance. The intimidation of critical or independent media by sports organizations threatens journalistic freedom and transparency.
As a sports governing body, European Aquatics must uphold high ethical standards, including a respectful relationship with the media. The organization’s silence in this situation not only fails to address a specific concern but also raises doubts about its commitment to ethical practices and media freedom.
It remains to be seen how European Aquatics and Hungarian Federation will react to this situation.
