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Shevchenko issues rallying call
Andriy Shevchenko believes Ukraine’s “incredible motivation” can help them beat Scotland in tonight’s World Cup play-off semi-final at Hampden Park.
The fixture was initially scheduled for March 24 but was postponed following Russia’s invasion of their neighbours, with tonight’s winners facing Wales on Sunday for a spot at Qatar 2022.
Ex-Chelsea striker Shevchenko, 45, is his nation’s most iconic player and managed them at last year’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
Speaking ahead of this evening’s contest, he said: “The Scotland match is the hope of the country. Going to the World Cup is very important for Ukraine right now.
“The motivation is incredible. In my opinion, we need to put the result away and just focus on the game.
“We need to play for the fans, for the whole of Ukraine, for those at home, for those defending the country and for those who left the country.”
Zouma sentenced
Kurt Zouma has been sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid community work after pleading guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The West Ham defender has also been ordered to pay costs of £8,887 and been banned from owning any cats for five years after shocking mobile phone footage emerged of him kicking and slapping his pet in February.
District judge Susan Holdham delivered her verdict this morning, labelling Zouma’s behaviour as “disgraceful and reprehensible”.
His record of no prior offences and willingness to plead guilty at the earliest possible opportunity helped him avoid a jail sentence, Holdham noted.
The 27-year-old was met outside Thames Magistrates Court by a man dressed in a giant cat costume, typifying a case that has garnered significant public attention.
Maguire: Fan abuse went too far
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire says criticism he received relating to his performances last season crossed the line.
England defender Maguire, 29, had his house swept by Cheshire Police in April after receiving a bomb threat and has spoken about the impact the incident had on his loved ones.
Maguire said: “I’m big enough to accept people getting on my back and saying I can improve, but there is a line where we are human beings. I do have a family.
“People ask if it affects me. My mentality is that it doesn’t affect me too much but when it comes to bomb threats, it is more about family and my fiancee, Fern.
“I’m just happy my kids are at an age where they don’t read things and see things on the news.
“If my kids were an older age, they could see things and go to school and people are speaking about it. That is when it affects you a little bit more.”
Maguire made 37 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions last season, netting two goals.
