Shevchenko to help restore 'destroyed' hometown stadium

Andriy Shevchenko answered a plea to restore a stadium in the war-ravaged Ukrainian town of Irpin where he played as a child after being moved by the scale of the destruction inflicted by Russian forces. The former striker, who as one of Ukraine's most recognisable stars has worked to raise money and awareness since his country was invaded in February last year, travelled in August to the town outside Kyiv which had been a centre of fighting in the early weeks of the war. A focus of Russia's attempts to encircle the capital, Irpin was bombarded throughout March and was briefly occupied, before Ukrainian forces reclaimed control.

Shevchenko has kept up a visible profile internationally since the start of the war, particularly in countries that have given their backing to Ukraine. He is currently in London to take part in Channel 4's coverage of the national team's Euro 2024 qualifier against England at Wembley on Sunday. The stadium in Irpin, a relatively small ground with only around 1,000 seats, was previously a key community hub, with city officials estimating around 500 residents used the facility every day for sports lessons and other events.

Russian attacks destroyed parts of the football pitch and most of the surrounding infrastructure. Shevchenko, who has been Ukraine's most celebrated football export since he signed for AC Milan in 1999 after leading Dynamo Kyiv to the semi-finals of the Champions League, played at Irpin's stadium in youth competitions during the 90s. After surveying the extent of the damage last year, an emotional response prompted him to action.

"I visited Irpin after the invasion," said Shevchenko. "I think 85 percent of it had been destroyed. I wanted to go and see it with my own eyes, talk