Ukrainian Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi has found himself at the centre of controversy after appearing to call US President Donald Trump a “f****r” in a now-deleted social media post.
The 22-year-old footballer made the comment following a dramatic confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
The incident occurred after Trump abruptly halted peace talks between Russia and Ukraine this week.
Zabarnyi, who represents Ukraine at international level, shared his apparent frustration on TikTok before swiftly editing the post to remove the offensive remark.
Ukrainian Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi fumed at Donald Trump
Reuters/PA
The White House meeting descended into chaos when Trump reportedly kicked Zelensky out following what was described as a “blistering Oval Office shouting match”.
Trump threatened to completely abandon Ukraine if Zelensky refused to agree to his peace terms.
The US president also accused his Ukrainian counterpart of showing insufficient gratitude.
This unprecedented confrontation played out on television screens worldwide, leaving Ukraine’s future uncertain as the nation continues its fight for survival.
The dramatic scene has been described as unlike anything ever witnessed publicly in the Oval Office.
The altercation has raised serious concerns about ongoing US support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Zabarnyi, who regularly posts videos of himself taking ice baths on TikTok, reportedly captioned one such post with: “It’s also worth adding, what a f****r Trump is.”
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The Ukrainian defender quickly amended the caption, removing the offensive comment about the US president.
The post remains visible on his TikTok account but now features only generic hashtags.
This digital outburst reflects the strong emotions felt by many Ukrainians following the confrontational White House meeting.
Zabarnyi has been a vocal supporter of his homeland throughout the ongoing conflict with Russia.
His social media activity has previously highlighted his patriotism and concern for his war-torn country.
Last year, Zabarnyi revealed he had contemplated abandoning his football career to fight for Ukraine.
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Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky clashed at the White House
Reuters
“I thought about going back to fight. I can just grab a weapon and learn,” he told The Times.
However, he ultimately decided his platform as a footballer could be more valuable.
“I can say, ‘Stop, I don’t want to play football’ but no, I have to play. Ukrainian people need me to tell the world,” he explained.
The Bournemouth defender has consistently used his public profile to draw attention to the conflict.
His outspoken stance on the Russia-Ukraine war has made him a prominent voice among Ukrainian athletes.
Most recently, Zabarnyi spoke passionately about the conflict before Euro 2024.
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Illia Zabarnyi appeared to call Donald Trump a ‘f****r’ on TikTok before deleting the post
TikTok
“I think the fact I am here now, it’s down to our warriors who defend our country,” he said in June 2024.
He expressed gratitude to Ukrainian soldiers, calling them “incredible people who with bravery win everything.”
The footballer acknowledged the emotional toll of the war on Ukrainian players.
“It’s very difficult when you wake up and you think what happens to your friends at home,” he explained.
Zabarnyi highlighted the plight of civilians in Ukraine.
“Every day our country wakes up to alarms and it’s difficult. Children, women, civilians… a lot of people die every day.”