Ilya Zabarnyi, a 23-year-old Ukrainian defender who arrived at Paris Saint-Germain this summer from Bournemouth, finds himself teaming up with Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov (26). This is a peculiar situation, given the four-year war between the two countries. Speaking to the Ukrainian program Football 360, he spoke about this thorny issue.
Zabarnyi: “I will fulfill my obligations to the club.”
“In my country, a full-scale war has been raging for four years. The Russians are aggressors who are trying in vain to destroy the freedom and independence of Ukraine. The war continues, and I have no relations with the Russians.
As for my teammate, I must interact with him on a professional level in training, and I will fulfill my obligations to the club. While the war continues, I fully support the complete isolation of Russian football from the world.”, comments relayed by L’Equipe.
These are understandable comments, given a situation that is beyond tense. But Zabarnyi knows how to be professional. At PSG, he is first and foremost a player and will play with Safonov in training and in matches if requested. In any case, he could hardly have taken a more friendly stance in public, just as he can’t sow discord within the club.
Safonov has never mentioned the subject; perhaps he privately displays his support for the defender and the relationship is a little better than coldly professional. But here too, it’s difficult to overstate it. We’re counting on PSG to have taken the time to speak with everyone when working on the transfer.
