23 July 2012
One of the stars of the Romanian Homeless World Cup team has been stabbed to death in Timisoara, western Romania. Eighteeen-year old Loredan Bulgariu (above, right) died following an incident in the city centre last week (Tuesday, July 17), just a few hours after training with the rest of the team.
“My heart broke when I heard the news,” said the Romanian coach Mihai Rusos. “Loredan was one of our most talented players. He was very proud to wear the No.10 shirt and was very excited about representing his country in Mexico City, later this year.”
“We will play for him in Mexico,” said one of Loredan's teammates.
“This tragic death is yet another example of the dangers faced by homeless people all around the world,” said Mel Young, the President of the Homeless World Cup. “Our partners in Romania, Street Soccer Sportive Club Metanoia, are doing a brilliant job in very difficult conditions and this latest incident shows what they're up against, day after day.”
Loredan was one of eight people selected to play for Romania in this year's Homeless World Cup, which will take place in Mexico City from October 6-14.
“Sadly, it's a fact of life that homeless people are often the victims of violence,” said Young. “While so many people are infatuated with celebrities and luxury lifestyles, there are millions of lives being ruined by poverty and homelessness, and also lives being lost. But our partners in Romania and many other countries are doing something positive and constructive about it, to enable homeless people to change their own lives for the better.”
