About the sport

Football is one of the world's most exciting sports and the 7-a-Side version is no exception, combining speed, agility and impressive ball handling. This sport has been officially part of the Paralympic Programme since the New York/Stoke Mandeville Games in 1984. The sport is governed by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) and follows the rules of the International Federation of Associated Football (FIFA), with some modifications. There are seven players on the field rather than 11, the measurements of the playing field are smaller, there is no offside rule and throw-ins may be made with only one hand. This sport is intended for athletes with cerebral palsy and a ratio of players from varying levels of disability must be maintained. The match consists of two halves of 30 minutes each. In 2008, five regions compete in international competition and the number of countries continues to grow.(The End)