Ukraine’s revered football figure, Andriy Shevchenko, assumed the presidency of the country’s football association (UAF) on Thursday.
Amid the ongoing Russian invasion, Shevchenko, a prominent critic of Russia’s actions, emphasized his commitment to developing the sport under challenging circumstances.
The former AC Milan, Chelsea, and Dynamo Kyiv striker, who secured the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003, outlined his determination to navigate the “very difficult conditions of the full-scale war” at a Kyiv press conference.
Shevchenko also vowed to eradicate corruption within the association, addressing concerns following the arrest of his predecessor on fraud charges.
In addition to his football accolades, Shevchenko has actively spoken out against Russia’s war, leveraging his profile to raise funds for victims and refugees.
Notably, he served as head coach of Ukraine from 2016 to 2021, leading the team to the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, where they faced a defeat against England.
The impact of the war on Ukrainian football is evident, with the season interrupted by the invasion, leading to games being relocated to the safer western regions.
The national team has also been compelled to play home games in neighbouring Poland.
Currently in the Euro 2024 qualification play-offs, Ukraine narrowly missed securing a spot at the 2022 World Cup shortly after Russia’s invasion.