One Game, All Fans: UEFA and FSE unite for disability inclusion in football

The thrill of a live football match is meant for all supporters. But for too many fans with disabilities, going to a stadium means navigating a series of hurdles – from inaccessible transport to challenging layouts and inadequate facilities.

No fans left behind

According to 2022 data, over 100 million adults in the European Union live with some form of disability. And while some football fan groups were focused on the needs of this large and important cohort, there was previously no active, continent-wide network to combine and formalise any effort undertaken.

This gap was addressed at the 2023 European Football Fans Congress, when Ted Morris, the Chair of Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association, proposed that "FSE (Football Supporters Europe), in collaboration with disabled supporters, should develop a policy for disabled supporters that will address the inequality disabled supporters experience throughout European football." Passed unanimously, this motion also determined that a formal, representative network be established to lead the initiative.

FSE – the official representative of European fans – has long campaigned that supporter rights are human rights, that people with disabilities, who wish to join the crowd at live matches, have an equal right to dignity, independence, and respect. And if action is not taken, the game will continue to lose these fans. In response to Morris’s proposal, they created The Disability & Inclusion Fan Network with support from UEFA. The network’s remit is to address specific disability & inclusion challenges right across Europe – improving access, representation, and dignity for disabled supporters.

Supporter-driven change

The network was officially launched in May 2025 at the European Football Fan Congress, when FSE Executive Director Ronan Evain appeared alongside 25 fan representatives from 17 countries. He said, "It’s fantastic to see supporters, stakeholders & attendees from so many UEFA nations and beyond gathered here, driven by a shared vision of what we can accomplish when we stand together."

The Disability & Inclusion Fan Network will allow like-minded people to organise, encourage, provide peer support, and collate information from the very people who face issues every time they attend matches. Their work will be led by a dedicated coordinator, and will be shaped by fans’ experiences across UEFA’s 55 member nations. The most pressing needs will be identified through a thorough scoping phase that sets out an effective structure for long-term impact. The Disability & Inclusion Fan Network therefore aims to:

• Unite fans across all regions.
• Provide peer support and advocacy tools
• Highlight best practices in accessibility
• Promote policy and infrastructure improvements

Inclusion in action

UEFA and FSE, who signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023, have a history of successful collaboration around issues of inclusion. FSE played an active role in UEFA’s Disability Access working group, which led directly to the establishment of minimum standards for wheelchair spaces for visiting supporters. These standards have now evolved into regulation which ensures service level for wheelchair users in UEFA competitions. And last year, the new UEFA Accessibility Guidelines were published, along with an Accessibility Checklist, which offers guidance and best practice for accessibility across infrastructure and services.

"We are proud of our long-standing partnership with FSE," said UEFA Deputy General Secretary Giorgio Marchetti, "and we look forward to continuing our cooperation to make our game more inclusive and accessible for all fans." 

With FSE’s leadership, UEFA’s support, and with disabled fans showing the way, the creation of the Disability & Inclusion Fan Network marks a powerful step toward a more inclusive game – one where every supporter truly belongs in the stands.