The defender came over this summer for 63 million euros from the English Bournemouth and immediately had a request for PSG’s club management: whether his Russian teammate Safonov could not leave.
Ukraine war reason for request PSG defender Zabarnyi
The war between Ukraine and Russia is the reason for the remarkable request of Zabarnyi, says former goalkeeper Denis Boyko of Dynamo Kiev Football 360. “I spoke to him and he told me he had asked if the Russian could no longer be part of the club. Unfortunately, not everything depends on him.”
After all, Safonov has a contract in Paris until mid -2029 and that cannot just be dissolved, Boyko also knows. But: “Fortunately, he doesn’t play. That is already positive.” The French top club achieved Lucas Chevalier van Lille as a replacement for the Gianluigi Donnarumma left for Manchester City. Safonov, however, was also a reserve goalkeeper for that.
Zabarnyi speaks out about Safonov issue
Zabarnyi himself also spoke to Football 360 out about the issue. The Ukrainian says that he has to deal with Safonov on a professional level, during training. He also maintains “no bond with a Russian. I will fulfill my obligations to the club, but I want to emphasize that, as long as the war continues, I fully support the isolation of Russian football in the world.”