In an interview with Sky Sports, Andri Shevtshenko, one of the best-known names in Ukrainian football, talks about his thoughts on the war and how football is now a secondary issue.
The legend of Ukrainian football Andri Shevtshenko is currently in London.
He tells Sky Sports in the UK that his aim is to raise humanitarian aid in the UK for Ukraine, which is the target of hostilities between Russia and Belarus.
The concern experienced by “Sheva” is great.
– My mother and sister are currently in Kiev. Terrible things are happening there. People are dying and our home is under threat, Shevtshenko says in an interview with Sky.
Shevtshenko has kept in touch with his family.
– I’ve tried to get them to escape, but they refuse. They want to stay there. This is the spirit of Ukraine.
War, not conflict
Andri Shevtshenko piloted Genoa in Italian Serie A from November 2021 to January 2022. AOP
Shevtshenko, who played as an attacker, coached the Ukrainian national team from 2016 until 2021.
Ukraine will participate in the World Cup qualifiers at the end of March. The team will face Scotland on March 24 in the qualifiers semi-finals.
However, in the current state of war, it is possible unless qualifiers are not played as planned. Ukraine is now in a bigger struggle. The opponent is not Scotland, but Russia and Belarus.
Under the pressure of its member associations, the International Football Association Fifa completely excluded Russia from the World Cup qualifiers. Other countries refused to play against Russia. The iconic striker thinks excluding Russia is the right solution for every sport.
– It’s not a difficult decision at all. It’s clear that when soldiers invade the country and start bombing, it’s not about any conflict, it’s about war, Shevtshenko tells Sky Sports.
No football
Andri Shevtshenko in the Ukrainian national team shirt against Switzerland at the 2006 World Cup. AOP
Shevtshenko is the best scorer in Ukraine’s national team history with 48 hits. He has played the second most matches in the national team (111) Anatoly Timostshukin After (144).
– Football doesn’t even exist for me right now, I don’t think about it at all. Now is not the time to watch it or any other sport, Shevtshenko continues.
Right now, he feels painful to watch Ukraine fight Vladimir Putin against cruel aggression.
– All my thoughts are on how I could help my country and my loved ones.
Shevtshenko last coached Italian Genoa, from which he was fired in January. In his player career, “Sheva” represented Dynamo in Kiev, AC Milan and Chelsea.
Andri Shevtshenko coached in the semi-finals of the European Championships in Ukraine. AOP