Paralympics 2024: A guide to blind football at the Paris Games

Brazil's Jeferson Goncalves, known as Jefinho, has been a key figure in their success

Key information

Dates: 1-7 September

Venue: Eiffel Tower Stadium

Gold medals on offer: One

How does blind football work?

Five-a-side football - more commonly known as blind football - is a game played by athletes with visual impairments and goalkeepers who are fully sighted.

The game is played using a small ball with a bell inside that makes a noise as it moves to aid the players in their movements. The four outfield players must all wear eyeshades to ensure fair play as some players may be partially sighted.

The goalkeeper can shout instructions to aid his team-mates but must not leave the penalty area, otherwise a penalty kick will be awarded to the opposing team.

Each team also has a guide behind each goal to give directions to the players. The guide will often tap the goal posts with a metal baton to give the player an indication of where to shoot.

The pitch is surrounded by a rebound wall so there are no throw-ins and there is no offside rule.

If a player attempts a tackle, they must shout the word "voy" before doing so to warn the opposing player. This is used as a safety precaution to avoid any injuries.

Matches are played over two halves of 25 minutes and if a match is drawn, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout.

Are GB competing in blind football?

Britain will not be represented in the eight-team competition having failed to qualify. The England team were third at the 2022 European Championships and were not able to secure a place in Paris at last year's Ibsa World Games in Birmingham.

Who are the main challengers?

Brazil have been the undisputed stars of the sport, winning gold at every Paralympics since the sport made its debut in Athens in 2004. But in Paris they face a tricky group with the top two in Europe - France and Turkey - along with China.

In the other pool, Argentina have been on the podium four times and are the current Americas and world champions. They will be joined by African champions and Tokyo bronze medallists Morocco, Paralympic debutants Colombia and Japan, who were fifth last time out.

Did you know?

During a football five-a-side game, the crowd and team members on the bench must be completely silent while the ball is in play so that the players can hear the ball move.

If a member of the crowd is making too much noise, the referee can eject them from the arena.

ParalympicsGB Tokyo 2020 medals

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