To highlight the important role that football can play in promoting wider access and inclusion, CAFE has launched the #MyMatchday series where disabled fans from across Europe will be invited to share their experiences.

Since 2009, CAFE has worked with UEFA and stakeholders within the game to promote increased accessibility through the unique power of football. We have received countless examples of the life-changing impact that attending a live match can have for many disabled fans.

The #MyMatchday series aims to bring these stories together, to showcase the hugely positive news that sometimes goes unreported and to share real-life experiences with other disabled fans who may not have attended a live match yet.

The interviews will consider how each fan became a football supporter, their idols and favourite memories, and what their matchday routine usually consists of. They will also explore any feelings, doubts or concerns that each fan may have had before attending a live match, and what their message would be to anyone who hasn’t yet experienced live football.

CAFE’s Fans Liaison and Access Officer Amy Wilson said, “We hope that through #MyMatchday we can show that disabled fans do have a rightful place in the stadium, and an important role to play in supporting their teams. Each of these real-life stories are hugely powerful in their own right, and we encourage other disabled fans to get involved and show that live football is for everybody”.

To coincide with the launch of #MyMatchday, we have published interviews from disabled fans in six different countries, and will continue to publish at least one new interview each month. Interviews will also be shared across CAFE’s social media platforms using the hashtag #MyMatchday.

The series also complements our #ShareYourSightlines social media campaign, where we encourage disabled fans to publish pictures of their view of the pitch and their position in the stadium when attending live football matches.

“As a disabled fan myself, I know first hand the impact that attending live football matches can have. We are football supporters first and foremost, and although the barriers disabled people can face might be different we still enjoy the same emotions – the highs, the lows and everything in between – that only live football can give to you”, added Amy.

For more information on #MyMatchday and to view the interviews published so far, please click here.

If you would be interested in taking part in a future #MyMatchday interview, please contact Amy Wilson by email at [email protected] or call +44 (0)208 065 5108.

Published 10/2/2020