'I have to interact': Ukrainian Zabarnyi opens up on Russian Safonov at PSG
Illia Zabarnyi (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian defender Illia Zabarnyi has commented for the first time on the situation with Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, who remains part of French club PSG despite Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, in an interview with Football 360.
Safonov still plays at PSG
Zabarnyi became a player for the Parisian club in the summer, signing a five-year contract. His transfer became one of the most high-profile moves for Ukrainian footballers in recent years, as PSG is the current Champions League winner and one of the main giants of world football.
According to journalists, during negotiations for the transfer, the Ukrainian center-back demanded that the Russian goalkeeper leave the team.
However, at the time of signing the contract, the situation remained uncertain. Safonov, whom PSG acquired from Krasnodar in June 2024 for €20 million, was still part of the squad. His transfer sparked criticism in France and beyond, as the deal took place during Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
French media, including L'Equipe, reported that Safonov himself was not opposed to leaving the club and sought exit options. Meanwhile, PSG signed a new goalkeeper, 23-year-old Luca Chevalier from Lille, for €40 million and sidelined Gianluigi Donnarumma at the coaching staff's decision.
Zabarnyi's thoughts on Safonov
For the first time since his transfer, Zabarnyi publicly spoke about playing alongside the Russian.
"I want to thank PSG, one of the best clubs in the world, for the opportunity to represent my country on the international stage and play at the highest level. At the same time, I have a clear civic stance: my country has been under full-scale war for four years. Russians are aggressors trying in vain to destroy Ukrainian freedom and independence. I do not maintain any personal relations with any Russians," Zabarnyi said.
At the same time, the Ukrainian acknowledged that a professional contract obliges him to work with the team, even if it includes players from Russia.
"I have to interact with him on a professional level during training and fulfill my obligations to the club. But as long as the war continues, I fully support the isolation of Russian football in the world," he emphasized.
Zabarnyi has already played two matches for his new team in a short time. He made his debut in the French championship against Nantes (1:0), and later played in a spectacular match against Toulouse, where PSG won 6:3.
PSG's next game will be against Lens on September 10, and the Champions League group stage begins on September 17 with a match against Atalanta.
