Ex-footballer Matvey Safonov persists in filing lawsuits over his daughter's matter
Score! Matvey Safonov Clears His Debt, Free to Join Russia's National Team
Matvey Safonov, the former goalie of Russia's Krasnodar, has finally paid off his alimony debts, cashing in on his travels and joining the national team for matches against Nigeria and Belarus on June 4th.
In the summer of 2024, Safonov hit a roadblock when a court ruling barred him from leaving the country due to an outstanding alimony debt exceeding 60 million rubles. Fast forward a year, and the ex-player has shelled out approximately 66 million rubles, excavating his debt mountains.
For the record, this wasn't a clear-cut scenario. Lawyer Andrei Kryuchkov sheds light on a disputed matter: Anastasia, Safonov's ex-wife, allegedly induced him into transferring a flat to their daughter as alimony, which Matvey believed would settle the debt even before the official divorce. Anastasia refutes these claims.
While the alimony saga was unfolding, Safonov found a fresh football heaven at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The team's triumph in the Champions League in May 2025 marked their first win in history, with the goalie bagging the prestigious title since joining PSG in the 2024/2025 season. After the victory, Safonov hopped onto a Moscow-bound flight with the trophy, priming himself for the national team matches.
Fast forward to 2023, Anastasia played the accusation card, claiming that Safonov snubbed their daughter Masha and attempted to seize her custody. The court ruled in favor of Masha, ordering Safonov to hand over a quarter of his salary for her support. Despite Safonov's continued attempts to appeal the decision, the courts stood firm. The latest news reveals that Safonov's outstanding debt with the Federal Bailiff Service now stands at a token 629 rubles, signaling clean sailing ahead.
The civil lawsuits between Safonov and Anastasia continue as both parties seek to put the remaining issues to rest.
[1] Initial court decision preventing Safonov from leaving Russia[2] Recent updates on Safonov's alimony case resolution
With his debt now cleared, Matvey Safonov is free to participate in European leagues, potentially boosting Russia's national team as they prepare for matches in June, given his impressive performances in the Champions League while playing for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). After his financial obligations were settled, Safonov, who won the Champions League in 2025, returned to Russia with the trophy, ready to don the national jersey.
