The executive director of Poltava: “Didn't Zinchenko play in the Russian Federation? Karetnik withdrew from Russian citizenship

Executive Director of Poltava Stanislav Mayzus commented on the signing of midfielder Sergei Karetnik, who played in Russia with Russian citizenship.

- The variant with the Cartmaker arose very simply. Until February 24, the football player was in Poland. He was there at a training camp with his then club - Dynamo Vladivostok. A full-scale war found the footballer already in Ukraine.

Of the four million Ukrainians who worked in Russia before the start of a full-scale war, some decided to stay in the aggressor country, while others returned to their homeland and help Ukraine with all their might.

I am very glad that Sergey was among those who returned home. After February 24, he is in Lubny, where he comes from, and has not left Ukraine anywhere. His relatives live in the Poltava region, he simply could not do otherwise at this time.

We know Karetnik well, since he used to play with us, back when Poltava was an amateur club. Our head coach knows his capabilities and potential very well. Cart builder is able to strengthen our team. We also have no doubts about his human qualities, because on February 24 everyone made a choice for himself.

— But most of the fans in social networks criticize this transfer, recalling that Karetnik played for a long time in Russia after 2014.

- Why didn't Zinchenko play? And now he is one of the biggest patriots and donors of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Other people also played, I don’t want to give their names. Yes, Sergei played there until February 24, but when the war began, he decided to return and no longer have anything to do with Russia.

It is commendable. I think that it will be best when a person lives at home, pays taxes in Ukraine and helps his relatives, friends and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Sergei does just that.

- Many players of "Poltava" stood up in social networks to support Karetnik. Was it a planned action by the club or spontaneously?

- There was no team from the club. Each footballer is an individual and has the right to write what he sees fit. We do not restrict football players in social networks.

- How does Karetnik react to the criticism that fell upon him?

- If this is unfounded criticism, then, like any living person, he reacts painfully, realizing that many words addressed to him are undeserved. His whole trouble lies in the fact that for some time he built a career in Russia.

But until February 24, four million Ukrainians of various professions worked there. And to say that Karetnik is to blame for everything is unfair.

— How did Karetnik part ways with Dynamo Vladivostok?

“They just broke the contract. When we received his transfer, there were no problems on the part of the Russians, and we did not communicate with them. Karetnik came to us as a free agent.

— Karetnik has a Russian passport.

- He was given it at the very beginning of his career, at a very young age, so that he would not be considered a legionnaire in Russia. As far as I know, Sergei has already renounced his Russian citizenship. Today he is a citizen of Ukraine, he has a Ukrainian passport, and he has nothing to do with Russia.

— What did he do with the Russian passport?

- It's better for you to ask him. Maybe he burned it, tore it up, or sent it to the consulate.

Andrey PISKUN