Football: Then and now

Football has long been the world's favourite sport.

Highly accessible, it has crossed every boundary and helped to break down barriers between people of different ages, abilities and cultures.

It is the original 'sport for all' – played and enjoyed by people with a disability for decades before the first official tournaments took place in the 1970s.

How to play – and win

There are two forms of Football played at the Paralympic Games: both use modified FIFA rules. Five-a-side Football and Seven-a-side Football are considered to be separate sports by the International Paralympic Committee.

Football Seven-a-side

This form of the game is for athletes with cerebral palsy. a ratio of players from varying levels of disability must be maintained.

On the field, teams are made up of ambulant cerebral palsy athletes ranging from classes 5 to 8. There are seven players on the field rather than 11, the measurements of the playing field and goalposts are smaller and there is no offside rule.

Matches last 30min per half.

Football is one of the world's most exciting sports and the Seven-a-Side version is no exception, combining speed, agility and impressive ball handling.

In 2006, five regions competed in international competition and the number of countries continues to grow.

Football Seven-a-side at the Games

Seven-a-side Football has been part of the Paralympic programme since the 1984 Games in New York.
Facts about Football Seven-a-side

• The sport is governed by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA)
  
• Throw-ins may be made with only one hand
  

Get involved

Football is an exciting sport to play as well as well as watch.

All the Home Country Football Assocations organise opportunities for disabled players. You can get information on the grassroots development programmes run by the Football Associations of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It's easy to get started – find a local club through the Disability Football Club Directory or contact your County Football Association for more details (see related website).