Click here to return to News and Events.

UEFA host Blind Footballers from England and Spain

June 2008

Blind football took centre stage at the first quarter final match of the European Football Championships in Basel, Switzerland on Thursday 19th June, when Spain (reigning IBSA European B1 Football Champions), took on England (second-placed team in Europe), at St Jakob-Park in an exhibition match.

This showcase event was held as part of UEFA’s Respect campaign, an initiative championed by UEFA President Michel Platini, in order to highlight the competence of footballers with disabilities, the accessibility of “Football for All” (regardless of disability), and to emphasise the respect shown by UEFA to players with disabilities.

Watched by members of both the German and Portuguese senior squads, the match took place directly before the quarter final between Germany and Portugal, in front of a large crowd. Spain defeated England 3-0, with goals from Alfredo Cuadrado, Antonio Martín and Vicente Aguilar.

Speaking at a reception after the match, a delighted Neil O’Donovan (Chairman of IBSA Europe), said: “both teams brought great honour and pride, not only to themselves, but also to their blind and visually impaired peers across Europe, demonstrating that loss of vision does not result in a diminution of core football skills”.

Ireland’s CP footballers played against the Netherlands before the match between Spain and Italy in Vienna on Sunday, 22nd June.