Blind Football

Blind football is an adaptation of football for athletes with vision impairment played with an audible ball. It featured at the Paralympics for the first time at Athens 2004. The sport has been a fixture at every Games since, with players wowing audiences the world over with their speed, technique, and exceptional spatial awareness. The competition consists of a single event: men’s team.

Brazil has been a formidable force in the sport, winning gold at every edition of the Paralympic Games.

Blind football teams are made up of four outfield players and one goalkeeper. Matches are divided into two 20-minute halves and played on a pitch measuring 40m x 20m. Boards run down both sidelines to keep the ball within the field of play. The ball itself has sewn-in rattles that create a sound so players can locate the ball.

The goalkeeper, who must be sighted or partially sighted, plays a key role as he is able to give cues to his team mates when defending. In attack, the footballers are aided by a guide who stands behind the opposition goal.

Outfield players must be classified as completely blind, which means they have very low visual acuity and/or no light perception. However, to ensure fair competition, all outfield players must wear eyeshades.

In blind football, players rely wholly on their sense of sound, which is why spectators are asked to stay silent during play. When the footballers move towards an opponent, go in for a tackle or are searching for the ball, they say ‘voy’ or a similar word, but when a goal is scored, everyone is encouraged to make as much noise as they like!

Eligible impairments

Outfield players must be classified B1 (very low visual acuity and/or no light perception). However, to ensure fair competition, all outfield players must wear eyeshades.

The goalkeeper can be fully sighted or partially sighted (B2 or B3).

Classification

Letter and number: B1