Illya Zabarnyi on Matvei Safonov: "I’m Forced to Interact With Him Professionally"

Paris Saint-Germain defender Illya Zabarnyi has publicly addressed his stance regarding Russian goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, stating that while he maintains a firm personal position amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, he continues to fulfill his professional duties at the club level.

Speaking to the programme “Football 360”, Zabarnyi was candid about the strained dynamic with his Russian teammate, emphasising his support for Ukraine and his opposition to any form of personal relationship with Russian nationals during the ongoing war.

“I have a clear civic position,” Zabarnyi said. “For the fourth year, my country has been enduring a full-scale war. Russia is the aggressor, relentlessly trying to destroy Ukraine’s freedom and independence. As long as this war continues, I will not engage in any personal relationships with Russians.”

Reports earlier this year suggested that the Ukrainian defender requested PSG offload Safonov as a condition of his own transfer to the French capital, though no such move occurred.

“Regarding my teammate — I’m forced to interact with him at a professional level during training and in fulfilling my contractual obligations to the club,” Zabarnyi added.

“I Fully Support the Isolation of Russian Football”

Zabarnyi concluded his remarks by reiterating his broader position: “While this war goes on, I fully support the complete isolation of Russian football from the global stage.”

PSG are expected to rotate between three goalkeepers for the 2025/26 season — Lucas Chevalier, Matvei Safonov, and Renato Marin.