Little-known reason why all Paralympic footballers are forced to wear blindfolds

The Olympics may be over but the summer of sport is just beginning as football 5-a-side is expected to set the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris with a bang.

Next month, 64 male athletes from eight nations are expected to compete for gold for the sixth time in Paralympic history.

Reigning champions Brazil face fierce competition in Group A from China, France and Turkey, while Argentina, Colombia, Morocco and Japan make up a dominant Group B.

The upcoming blind football tournament asks that all athletes wear eye coverings and that the audience remain quiet during the 5-a-side contest—but why is that?

Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know ahead of the Paralympic contest, including a brief overview of the rules, crowd expectations and eligible impairments.

Paralympic football players must wear eye masks while playing. (FRANCOIS LO PRESTI/AFP via Getty Images)

What are the Paralympic football rules?

If you’re new to Paralympic 5-a-side football, then understand that a team is made up of four blind outfield players and one goalkeeper, meaning there are 10 people on the pitch at one time.

Unlike the able-bodied football at the 2024 Paris Olympics, matches are split into two 20-minute halves.

The athletes play on a pitch the same size as FIFA futsal (40m x 20m) and kickboards are installed on the outskirts to prevent the ball from going out of bounds.

Moreover, rattles and bells are sewn into the ball so that the players can hear it when it moves.

According to the official Paralympics website, players also shout ‘Voy’ when they go for the ball to warn other defensive and attacking players of their position.

As well as the on-pitch outfield stars, each team has three sighted guides positioned around the pitch.

These officials are usually the goalkeeper, a coach who resides in the midfield, and another guide positioned close to the opponent’s goal.

The trio are allowed to give cues to the player in their respective third of the pitch.

What are the eligible impairments?

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) states that outfield players wanting to compete in Blind Football at the Paralympics must be medically classified as B1.

This means the athlete has very low visual acuity and/or has no light perception.

Meanwhile, the 5-a-side goalkeeper can either be fully sighted or partially sighted (classified B2 or B3).

This is because they’re tasked with defending their nation’s goal and giving cues to their teammates, as per the BBC.

The contest takes place between September 1 to 7. (Robert Daemmrich Photography Inc/Corbis via Getty Images)

Why must Paralympic football players wear blindfolds?

Despite all outfield players being classed as B1 athletes, each player will still have varying levels of vision.

Therefore each Paralympian playing Blind Football is tasked with wearing an eyeshade to make sure the competition is fair.

The goalkeeper is the only on-pitch star that doesn’t have to wear a blindfold.

What is the crowd expected to do at a blind football game?

Paralympic football players rely on sound and communication with their teammates to play successfully.

Therefore crowds attending games at the Eiffel Tower Stadium in Paris are asked to stay silent until the ball is out of play, or a goal is scored.

Paris Olympics 2024 Blind Football event programme

Paralympic 5-a-side football is being held between September 1 and 7.

The twelve group stage matches will take place between September 1-3 before the semi-finals on the 5.

The bronze and gold medal matches are slated to take place on September 7.