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Football 7-a-side Paralympics London 2012

Exciting, end-to-end action is guaranteed at the 7-a-side Football tournament, one of two Football competitions at the Paralympic Games.

Key facts

Venue: Olympic Park - Hockey Centre
Dates: Saturday 1 September - Sunday 9 September 2012
Medal events: 1
Athletes: 96 (all men; eight teams)

One of two Football variations played at the Paralympic Games, 7-a-side Football is a fast-moving and fiercely competitive sport played by athletes with cerebral palsy. At London 2012, the Hockey Centre will host eight men’s teams in a 20-match tournament, culminating in the gold medal match on 9 September.

The basics

7-a-side Football follows FIFA rules, with some modifications: each team consists of seven players; the playing field is smaller, as are the goals (5m by 2m); there’s no offside rule; throw-ins may be made with one hand only; and each half lasts 30 minutes. Teams are made up of ambulant cerebral palsy athletes, and each side must maintain a line-up featuring players with varying levels of disability.
The Paralympic tournament will feature eight men’s teams, initially two groups of four teams playing in a round-robin format. The top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winning semi-finalists going head to head for the gold.

Football 7-a-side at the Paralympic Games, past and present

Did you know?

Throw-ins may be made with only one hand

The sport is governed by the Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA)

7-a-side Football has been part of the Paralympic programme since the New York and Stoke Mandeville 1984 Games. At London 2012, all matches will be played at the brand new Hockey Centre in the Olympic Park, which will also stage the 5-a-side Football competition.

Jargon buster

- Extra time: If a match in the knockout stages is tied at the end of 60 minutes, the teams play 20 minutes of extra time in a bid to find a winner.
- Penalty shootout: If a match remains tied after extra time, it is decided by a penalty shootout following standard FIFA rules.
- Pitch: The playing area, measuring no less than 70m x 50m and no more than 75m x 55m.

Get involved

To find out more about grassroots development programmes, visit the websites of the FA, the Scottish FA, the Football Association of Wales and the Irish FA, all of which organise opportunities for athletes with a disability.

It’s easy to get started – you can find a local club through the Disability Football club directory, by contacting your county Football association or on the Parasport website. The Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (or CPISRA) governs the sport at international level.