UEFA film highlights five life-changing stories about football and disability

Five inspirational stories show how football can give people with disabilities a new lease of life in the sixth instalment of UEFA's equality and inclusion video series, Outraged.

The 14-minute film, recently released on UEFA.tv, gives five disabled players, fans and referees the opportunity to explain in their own words what football means to them and where it can take steps to ensure everyone has access to play, watch and enjoy the game.

Professional footballers Jack Grealish, Sergio Canales and Nicolò Barella also provide their perspective on football’s important role in supporting people with disabilities.

Finlay Fisher: 'Give people a chance'

Manchester, England

Keen young footballer Finlay Fisher, who has cerebral palsy, explains how Manchester City's 'City in the Community’ initiative has made him feel included and helped him become a better player. Through the club, he has met his Man City hero Jack Grealish who famously mimicked Finlay's own celebration after scoring for England in the 2022 World Cup. "If you give people a chance and maybe just give people a bit more time, you’ll be able to realise that they are very good at sport and anything in general," says Finlay.

Victoria Puntas Bravo: 'It's important that my club supports me'

Seville, Spain

Real Betis fanatic Victoria Puntas Bravo tells us how important it is for wheelchair users like her to attend matches in person. Joined by Betis stars Sergio Canales and Aitor Ruibal, she highlights the kind of issues she faces getting into stadiums.

"It's important that my club supports me because if not, I couldn't come," says Victoria, "I couldn't experience the atmosphere – it's not the same on TV."

Betis also explain what they are doing to improve accessibility for fans like Victoria; in February this year, the club invited 1,740 disabled fans to watch 'the most inclusive game in the world'.

Francis Maria: 'I would like to see every club ... have an amputee team'

Utrecht, the Netherlands

Passionate footballer Francis Maria's life went on hold after the amputation of a leg to prevent the spread of bone cancer in his knee. But his discovery of amputee football in Utrecht has brought a new lease of life.

"I felt great and that this should be my life now," says Francis, "I would like to see every club in the Netherlands have an amputee team … and even a Dutch football amputee league."

Amire Schwarz: 'One of the few sports where sighted and blind people play together'

Dortmund, Germany

Amire Schwarz plays blind football for Borussia Dortmund and the German National Team. That feeling of togetherness is part of the very fabric of blind football, she says.

"(Football) is an inclusive sport. It's one of the few sports where sighted and blind people play together," says Amire, "I love football because it's a team sport – you want to achieve something together."

Jason Taylor: 'I've never thought 'I can't do it because I'm deaf.'

Scotland

Being deaf is no hindrance to Jason Taylor's refereeing – but he has had to overcome discrimination in his match official journey. "Football has taught me a lot of things," the Scot says. "It taught me a lot of confidence, how to stand up for myself."

Speaking alongside Italy midfielder Nicola Barella and AZ Alkmaar head coach Pascal Jansen, Jason gives an insight into how the modern elite game is beginning to address issues faced by disabled players, fans and officials.

"I've never thought 'I can't do it because I’m deaf'."

Watch the full series of Outraged documentaries covering the topics of homophobia, refugee discrimination, sexism, racism and online abuse.