Dmitry Korchagin, a 20-year old disabled football fan, has been appointed to the Russian Football Union’s (RFU) Communications Departments.

Dmitry, who is from Kazan and has cerebral palsy, received the job offer on the eve of Russia’s friendly match against Iran on Tuesday 10^th October.

Earlier this year, Dmitry had written to the Russian national team to describe his dream of attending the FIFA World Cup 2018 and of one day becoming a professional sports manager. As a result, the team invited Dmitry to attend their training session before their game against Mexico in the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017. 

Then, while attending a pre-match training session at Kazan Arena this week, Dmitry was offered a role working in the RFU’s Communication Department. Dmitry, a Rubin Kazan supporter, will be responsible for writing match reports and creating articles for the RFU’s website.

As Dmitry explains, “it is an offer you cannot refuse.”

CAFE Managing Director, Joanna Deagle, added, “It is vital that disabled people are able to take their rightful places alongside their peers within football - from the grassroots to the boardrooms, and Dmitry’s appointment is an indication of the RFU’s commitment to equal access to football for disabled people at every level of the game.”

Congratulations to the RFU and best of luck to Dmitry in his new role.

A version of this article is also available in Ukrainian, Russian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, French, German and Spanish.

Published 18/10/2017