Blind football is football played by blind and visually impaired players with adapted rules. We will explain everything to you :
All players wear blindfolds for complete fairness between players. Indeed, athletes do not necessarily all have the same degree of blindness and to overcome this problem, no player can see what is happening on the field. Players also wear a small bandage under their eyes to prevent any attempt at fraud. However, the exception is made for goalkeepers who do not wear blindfolds and who do not have vision problems. Logic.
How do the players proceed to identify each other and not crash into each other?
In the ball, there are small bells to signal the position of the ball to the players. An idea that comes straight from the Brazilian legend Pelé… The founder of the discipline in France, Julien Zelela tells us this famous anecdote :
“It was Pelé who made it possible to have this kind of ball, it sounds like maracas. It was prisoners who made it in Brazil.” Julien Zelela
Communication also plays a vital role in practice. Opponents warn each other when they arrive to defend. For example, when an opponent approaches, he must announce himself with the term “Voy”. If the player fails to do so or does so late, this is considered a foul. There is a whole specific vocabulary to facilitate the game. You should also know that a match does not last 90 minutes as in classic football, but 30 minutes (15minx2 in actual playing time). Matches are played 5v5 on a smaller field. Blind football is in a way the adaptation of indoor football.
What is the place of the French team at the international level?
The Blues have already achieved great feats in the past. Lhe title of European champion won this weekend is already the 3rd in history for this team after having already won the 2009 and 2011 editions. The French team also had a good run during the London Olympics in 2012 but had to lose in the final. Yvan Wouandji, one of the emblematic players of this team shares his joy with us to be on the roof of Europe with the national team:
“I am very proud of the performance of the group, of the collective. There is a state of mind that has emerged, a mentality and a lot of work done. It is one of my most beautiful titles, It’s certain !”
