Sponsors of the C4 London 2012 Paralympic Games site
29th August - 9th September
Football (7 a-side)
How it works
A modified version of standard FIFA rules apply, the pitch is smaller, with no offsides, and matches consist of two 30-minute halves with 15 minutes for half-time. Golden Goal and penalties apply in play-off rounds.
Men's Competition
British Paralympians
-
Matt Dimbylow Hometown: Stourport
Born: 12 December 1970
Position: defence/midfield
Disability: cerebral palsy
-
Martin Sinclair Hometown: Bath
Born: 27 June 1986
Position: midfield/defence
Disability: cerebral palsy
-
Alistair Heselton Hometown: Milton Keynes
Born: 2 August 1983
Position: attack/midfield
Disability: brain injury from car accident
Other teams participating
United States
Brazil
Netherlands
Argentina
Great Britain
Iran
Russia
Ukraine
.
Event Info
-
Footballers: 96
(only men compete) -
Medal events: 1
-
Venue: RIVERBANK ARENA
60 second guide
What you need to know
- 1
Cerebral palsy football has been in international competition since 1978 and joined the summer Paralympics schedule at the 1984 Games in New York.
- 2
Players are classified depending on the severity of their symptoms to ensure teams represent all kinds of abilities.
- 3
The classification of teams led to international outcry in the Beijing Paralympic Games when finalists Russia were accused by rival teams of fielding too many able-bodied players.
- 4
Irish footballer Derek Malone was banned from playing at the 2008 Games in Beijing when Paralympic classifiers told him his disability was too minor to qualify. Malone has since been reinstated.
- 5
At least 22 countries have taken part in Paralympic seven-a-side football at an international level, including Brazil, China, Iran and defending champions Ukraine.
The Paralympic Games hall of fame
- Who has claimed the 7-a-side football Paralympic crown?
- 2008: UKR
- 2004: UKR
- 2000: RUS
- 1996: NED
