Saturday 3 August 2019 The Guardian •
21The actor and activist Michael
Sheen ploughed his own money into
the event to save the tournament
when it looked as if it was in
diffi culties and might not go ahead.
“There were 500 people who
suddenly weren’t going to have this
life-changing experience. I know it
can be a catalyst for change,” Sheen
said. So he bankrolled it, arguing
that he would be able to fi nd work to
recoup his losses.
Sheen said the sight of the
Bulgarian goalkeeper sobbing
inconsolably after a defeat would
live long in his memory. “That was
real passion.” His imagination was
also fi red by a young woman from
Northern Ireland celebrating wildly.
“It looked as if she hadn’t scored
many goals before. But she had now
scored a goal for her country.”Sheen has also been impressed by
the spectators who have pledged to
help, including children who have
promised to do their bit, perhaps
by something as simple as smiling
at the next person they see on the
street. “Something like this can
change people’s perceptions,” Sheen
said. “The idea that the homeless
are ... to be pitied or given charity or
to be judged or stigmatised is blown
apart when you’re watching them
playing and cheering them.”
Over on pitch one, the Wales
men’s team was soundly beaten
by an excellent Egypt side. The
Welsh men’s coach, Wayne Ellaway ,
still came off smiling, especially
after Wales grabbed a last-minute
consolation goal. “That gave the
crowd something to cheer,” he said.
Ellaway said he had lived a
troubled life, but his fortunes have
been turned round by playing
for and now coaching the Wales
homeless team. He said he saw
vulnerable people changing into
proud adults as they trained
and competed. “The change is
phenomenal,” he said.
The venue, Bute Park, is
particularly poignant for Ellaway.
This was one of the spots where he
used to pass the time in at his lowest
point. “I used to walk around this
place in despair, not knowing where
to go, what to do. Now I’m coaching
Wales here – it’s amazing.”▼ Wales (in red) take on Belgium
during the 17th Homeless World
Cup in Cardiff , which ends today
PHOTOGRAPHS: GARETH PHILLIPS/THE GUARDIAN
‘The idea the
homeless are
to be pitied,
given charity
or judged is
blown apart
when you’re
cheering’Michael
Sheen▼ The Wales
men’s team has
a pep talk before
their game
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