08 September 2023 , 16:24
928
0
Moldovan international footballer Violeta Mițul has sadly passed away, with tributes from around the footballing world pouring in.
A statement from the Moldova Football Association confirmed the news. It read: “With deep sadness and pain, the Moldovan Football Association expresses its deepest condolences and deepest regrets. One of the women’s national team’s best players suffered a tragic accident while out with her teammates on a hike in the mountains.”
Meanwhile, the left-back's most recent club - Icelandic outfit Einherji - have also released a lengthy tribute following the news. They said: “It is with deep sadness in our hearts that we announce the sudden death of our player, teammate and friend Violeta Mitul, who died in an accident on the night of September 4, aged just 26. The community in Vopnafjörður is in mourning.
“Violeta, who was born on April 3, 1997, in Moldova, joined Einherji in the spring of the year and played a key role in the women’s team in the summer championship. Violeta was kind, hard-working and a happy girl. She was a trusted team player and an exemplary soccer player.
"Her death is a shock to us all and the gap she leaves behind is huge. Our thoughts are with her teammates and coaches who mourn the loss in this time of grief.
Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd
"We send our deepest condolences to the family of Violeta, Alexandra, Maria, Veaceslav and Julia. At such a tragic time, there are no words or actions that will heal the wound left by the loss, but we will do what we can to relieve the pain of the bereaved family and friends.”
Reports in Iceland suggested that police in the East of the country had received a report that a woman had fallen from the cliffs at the marina on Vopnafjörður. Unfortunately, Mitul was announced dead as paramedics arrived at the scene.
A memorial service was held in Mitul's memory at the Church of Vopnafjörður on Thursday evening, whilst a collection for her family was also set up.
Mitul had been capped 40 times by the Moldovan national team and played a role as they attempted to qualify for the 2019 World Cup. She most recently appeared for her national team back in April in a 3-1 defeat to Haiti. Her past employers include clubs such as Alga Tiraspol, AHFK Astana, Voskhod, Apulia Trani and La Solana.