With the World Cup kicking off in the US, Canada and Mexico on 11 June, and the English Premier League starting in August, we ask – how accessible is football for disabled fans?
Football is easily the most popular sport in the world, with some four billion fans globally. The game is known for its sense of community and fiercely loyal supporters. But, from playing to watching, how accessible is it?
Most major clubs have Disabled Supporters’ Associations, which are user-led groups working with clubs, the FA, and organisations like Level Playing Field to improve accessibility, inclusion and matchday experiences for all disabled fans.
One West Ham United fan has spent the past 25 years helping blind supporters enjoy matches, by providing live audio commentary. James Datson started out by describing what was taking place on and off the pitch to his brother Matt, who is blind. 25 years on, he provides live audio description to visually impaired fans at home games, using special receivers that fans can borrow for matches to enhance their experience.
ATMOSPHERIC
“Our last game at Upton Park, before the team moved to London Stadium, was very dramatic,” James explains. “It was a late kick-off because there were so many fans. The atmosphere of that night makes it one of my favourite commentaries I’ve ever done.”
James’s audio description is more creative than radio commentary, and fans can sit anywhere in the stadium, using one of 70 special headsets, to hear it. The headsets are also used by people with reduced mobility, so they don’t miss key moments when other fans stand up during a match.
James has worked closely with West Ham’s Disabled Supporters’ Association over the years, as co-chair Cathy Bayford explains: “James has been a godsend in advising me on the way forward,” especially when the London Stadium – despite it being built for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – wasn’t the most accessible. From lowering counters at catering kiosks to introducing accessible matchday shuttle buses, as well as adding accessible search lanes and discreet passes for fans with hidden disabilities, the club has worked hard to be as inclusive as possible.
NATIONWIDE
The story is similar at clubs across the country, many of which have Disabled Supporters’ Associations. Several clubs offer live BSL interpretation and audio description, while stadium upgrades often include the addition of sensory rooms and accessible viewing platforms. In collaboration with Colostomy UK and Level Playing Field, clubs including Sheffield Wednesday and Motherwell have installed stoma-friendly bathrooms in their grounds, featuring hooks, shelves, mirrors, and disposal bins.
And it’s not just physical changes – staff diversity training and increased awareness are changing the game, plus organisations like Kick It Out are working to stamp out discrimination in football – both on the pitch and online. As Cathy explains: “Disabled people have exactly the same right as everyone else to enjoy the matchday experience.”
LIFE-CHANGING
Inclusivity extends to players too. England Football’s Football Without Limits programme aims to grow disability football participation by more than a third by 2028, encompassing multiple playing formats like pan disability football, amputee football, powerchair football, and frame football.
England Deaf footballer Claire Stancliffe didn’t know any other deaf people until a friend invited her to play in a five-a-side deaf football tournament. Claire explains: “Finding deaf football was life-changing for me. Deaf football allowed me to explore my deaf identity and the deaf community. It has given me a different outlook on life and the confidence to achieve so much. I’ve also met my best friends through deaf football.” From a kickabout in the park to playing for your national team like Claire, getting involved at the grassroots level is a great place to start – contact your County FA to find out more.
ACCESS CRISIS
The FIFA Men’s World Cup, of course, is the ultimate football competition. Rarely free of controversy, this year’s tournament has upset many in the disability community, with matches in the USA, Mexico and Canada apparently not as accessible as previous World Cups. There’ve been no accessible tickets available to disabled fans in the lowest-priced tier of the general allocations, and PAs have been told they’ll need to pay full price, with no concessions and no guarantee they’ll be seated next to the disabled fan they’ve taken to the game..
Chair of Level Playing Field, Tony Taylor, explains: “The current situation appears to expect disabled fans to gamble on cost and access. Each World Cup should bring everyone together in celebration and, at the moment, this failure to act on inclusion puts that at risk.”
Every World Cup game will be broadcast free-to-air by the BBC and ITV, so you can enjoy matches from the comfort of home – with audio description and subtitles – if you didn’t manage to bag tickets. But, if you did, James and Cathy advise you to plan your trip thoroughly. “Do your homework before you go,” recommends James. “If you want to experience the World Club, nothing should stop you.”
James recognises that access outside the UK isn’t always easy, saying: “If it doesn’t happen, it’s not your fault, it’s the system’s fault.” Cathy says addressing hurdles is the only way to push for change so disabled fans can keep enjoying the beautiful game: “Don’t sit back and think nothing’s going to change. You need to shout about it. Let people know what needs to be improved.”