Flyers’ Matvei Michkov caught in Dubai car crash scandal, faces $100K extortion attempt

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 14, 2025, 15:00 IST

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NHL sensation Matvei Michkov was recently involved in a car accident in Dubai while on vacation, sparking initial panic among fans. However, reports confirm Michkov was the passenger, not the driver, and is unharmed. His legal team alleges the rental company attempted to extort $100,000 from Michkov to suppress the story, holding his and his friend's passports.

Flyers’ Matvei Michkov caught in Dubai car crash scandal, faces $100K extortion attempt

Philadelphia Flyers' Matvei Michkov, right, celebrates his goal with Jakob Pelletier during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)

Just when we thought the NHL offseason would be quiet, boom, Matvei Michkov ends up in a car accident in Dubai. The 19-year-old Flyers phenom was reportedly involved in a crash while on vacation, and the internet wasted no time panicking. But before fans start spiraling, here’s the real story: Michkov’s fine, he wasn’t behind the wheel, and the whole situation might be messier for the rental company than for him.

Matvei Michkov was in a car accident in Dubai, but he wasn’t behind the wheel

It all started when Russian journalist Alexey Shevchenko reported that Michkov had been involved in a car crash in Dubai. A photo of the totaled car began circulating online, registered under Michkov’s name, no less. But before the rumor mill could run wild, multiple sources quickly confirmed he wasn’t driving. According to NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jordan Hall, Michkov was simply riding shotgun.

Michkov’s legal team wasted no time clearing things up. His attorney, Shuk al-Kathiri, confirmed that Matvei didn’t drink, wasn’t tested for alcohol, and, most importantly, wasn’t responsible for the crash. The driver was reportedly a friend, and fully sober during the incident. “There are no legal questions for Michkov,” the lawyer clarified, adding that under UAE law, Michkov is totally in the clear.

Things got shady when the rental company allegedly tried to extort Matvei Michkov

Now here’s where the story turns into a Netflix drama. Al-Kathiri accused the rental company of illegally holding the passports of Michkov and his friend and allegedly trying to extort $100,000 to keep the story out of the media. The lawyer didn’t hold back, calling out the company for manipulating the situation and trying to shake down the Russian NHL star. Thankfully, reports from trusted outlets eased everyone’s nerves, he’s unharmed, in no legal trouble, and just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Neither Michkov nor the Flyers have made any public statements yet, but that hasn’t stopped fans from rallying around him online.What looked like a scary headline turned out to be a strange and slightly shady situation that he got pulled into while on vacation.Also read - NHL fines Max Domi $5,000 but backlash erupts as fans call player safety biased against certain teams

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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