Paris 2024 Paralympics | Blind Football: Is Pressure a Privilege? Team France on playing in front of home crowd and one of the most iconic Parisian monuments
On Sunday 1 September, in front of arguably one of the most iconic and beautiful backdrops offered by Paris for this years' Paralympic Games, the final Blind football match of the evening housed French and Chinese players and supporters in front of a calm Parisian sunset, and golden Eiffel Tower.
The famously recognisable and romantic tower, located on the Champ des Mars, is hard to miss. However, if you didn’t know where the game was held, you could simply follow the bellowing chants of “Allez les bleus” that rippled through the Eiffel Tower Stadium and across the city.
Tricolours fluttered around the crowd, separating the smaller and fewer clumps of the five star red flags packed tightly together in support of the Chinese team. Nevertheless, the small but mighty support from the opposing team bled to their players on the pitch.
Under the slowly dipping blue and orange sunset, the five-person teams played in complete unison with their teammates.
Fabrice Morgado, a player for Team France said: “We had a huge training session before the Games. Playing together is most important in these training camps. Bringing that to the pitch is a crucial thing for us to do.”
Using their voices – and often times percussion instruments – the home crowd did not disappoint in bringing the same atmosphere today that has been alive throughout the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“We were expecting a big crowd, but the fervour there, with so many spectators, was really great.To be able to give them a win was the most important thing for us, and it was also important to start the competition with a win. All the more so against China, who are a strong team,” Morgado said.
Amidst the crescendo and diminuendos of the noisy crowds is a familiar phrase. “Allez les blues” is heard again and again from one voice in particular. The culprit, a small girl situated in the upper stands at the right hand side, held a flag almost as big as her. There is no age limit to supporting your home team.
“Of course we are motivated by the young crowds, but at the same time it can be unnerving,” said Morgado.“In this instance, the crowds were very respectful and hearing the voices of all our French supporters was motivating more than anything else”.
But all chants, cheers and screams came to a halt a few times. Out of respect for the players, crowds are asked to keep quiet for throw-ins and penalties, and until prompted otherwise.
It’s not a case that noise is unwelcome, in fact it is a crucial component in any play. And the kind of noise of at this game was a most welcome support for Team France.
“The crowds were really respectful. Of course, we appreciate the quiet moments when the game is in play, but the intensities of the noise actually motivates us more,” he added.
In particular, renditions of audience led "Champs-Élysées" and “Allez les Bleus, les supporters sont là” (come on the blues, the supporters are here) was the backing track that lead to Team France scoring their first and winning goal of the match. This gave permission to crowds to act completely out of control.
“The support of our home country fans brings pressure, but because its positive pressure it’s a good thing. We have the same support for the next match thankfully which we are looking forward to.”
The French Team take on the undefeated Team Brazil tonight, 2 September, in the same arena in front of the Eiffel Tower, which is paramount to the players.
“It’s very symbolic for us. As soon as we knew we were going to be playing on the Champ-de-Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, we immediately understood the significance of playing here.”
“In any case, these are the Paris Games. Just to play here gives us so much pride and joy. We understand the responsibility that comes with this,” Morgado concluded.