Shevchenko wants UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin to visit him in Ukraine

Andriy Shevchenko has called on Aleksander Ceferin to visit him in Ukraine, so that the UEFA president can see for himself the devastation caused by the ongoing attacks from Russia, and change his mind about Russian re-integration into international football.

In an exclusive UK television interview with Sky Sports News, the newly-elected president of Ukraine's Football Association says UEFA and FIFA are wrong to allow Russia's U17s teams back into international competition, saying it gives entirely the wrong message when Russian troops continue their invasion of his homeland.

"I would like to invite everyone who makes those decisions - within UEFA's committee, within the executive committee, and the president Aleksander Ceferin," Shevchenko told Sky Sports News chief reporter Rob Dorsett.

"Before he (Ceferin) makes the decision (to re-admit any Russian teams), come to Ukraine, and then see everything, visit us, talk about our problems, and after that, make your decision.

"I want to speak. I want to show the current situation in Ukraine, because since the war started, the situation only gets worse. I don't see any reason to give that opportunity for a return of the Russian teams.

"It is not going to change. The war is continuing. Every day it's missiles attacks, people dying.

"We need more pressure on Russia to stop the war and my statement is always going to be exactly the same. I'm very against that (Russian athletes being allowed to compete internationally)."

The former Ballon d'Or winner was elected leader of Ukraine's FA on Thursday and says his priority is to build international support for the sporting boycott of Russia, whilst also rebuilding his country's sporting infrastructure.

"Already, around 350 stadiums have been