Football: Shevchenko leaves sport for politics

KIEV: Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko quit football to begin a career in politics, confirmed the striker in a statement from his club Dynamo Kiev. “Perhaps, I will shock everyone: my future has nothing to do with soccer,” said Shevchenko. “It is related to politics.” The 35-year-old former AC Milan and Chelsea forward ended his international career when Ukraine failed to progress from the group stage at June’s Euro 2012, which they co-hosted with Poland. Shevchenko started his career in Dynamo and then moved to Milan, becoming one of the most famous Ukrainian players. His following stint with Chelsea was less successful and since 2009, Shevchenko has been playing for Dynamo again.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2012.