We are delighted to have the support of the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) for the CAFE Week of Action 2023, with a number of activities and initiatives taking place to celebrate #TotalAccess.

Since 2013, the CAFE Week of Action has provided stakeholders across the industry with an opportunity to promote the importance of improved access and inclusion for all.

Our vision is a world where disabled people are a key part of the global sporting landscape, as fans, employees, volunteers and leaders, so that everyone has equal opportunities to contribute in an accessible, inclusive and welcoming environment.

The CAFE Week of Action is the largest celebration of its kind, offering disabled fans and their groups (DSAs), clubs, venues, leagues, federations, NGOs and everyone passionate about access and inclusion the chance to come together in promoting #TotalAccess.

In Romania, a number of young fans with Down's Syndrome attended a match with the under-17s women's national team, cheering them on as they sought qualification for the UEFA European Championships against Poland.

The representatives of the Down Plus Bucharest Association are themselves football players, as well as taking part in other sports. Ahead of the match, they took to the field with Romanian flags and a CAFE Week of Action banner to show their support for the campaign.

Though the full time result didn't go their way, the young fans joined the players on the pitch again at full time to console the young players and again display their commitment to #TotalAccess.

The FRF also promoted #TotalAccess during matches played by the national blind football team during the first stage of the European Blind Football League played in Buzău, Romania.

On 11 March 2023, the Romanian side competed against the England under-23 team and Charleroi. These matches were part of a wider tournament, with sides from Borussia Dortmund, AS Roma and San Remo also taking part at a facility built especially to host blind football matches.

The pitches used were adorned with CAFE Week of Action banners during the tournament, again helping to raise understanding of the campaign amongst disabled football fans in Romania and outlining the FRF's commitment to a game that is welcoming for all.

The national blind team will also play a friendly match against Belgium in Paris later in the week.

More activities and initiatives are planned in Romania in the coming weeks and months, and we are extremely grateful to the FRF for all of their support. CAFE looks forward to continuing our positive cooperation for many years to come.

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We thank everyone who joins us in celebrating this season’s CAFE Week of Action, and would like to say a particular thank you our long-term partners at UEFA for their ongoing commitment to this topic.

During the campaign, disabled fans and their groups (DSAs) will come together to celebrate the steps the game has taken towards improving access and inclusion for all. Clubs, leagues and national associations will reaffirm their commitment to the topic, and the importance they place on ensuring that disabled fans can enjoy a welcoming matchday experience.

There is still time to get involved if you haven't already planned your activities. We invite you to share your support for access and inclusion on social media using the hashtag #TotalAccess, and download the CAFE Week of Action information packs for more information on how you can join the celebrations.

For regular updates on activities taking place during the CAFE Week of Action, follow CAFE on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, and check the CAFE website for regular news updates.

Published 15/3/2023