Welcome to CAFE!

We are the Centre for Access to Football in Europe.
'Total Football - Total Access'

CAFE is supported by the UEFA and is working closely with its 53 associations to improve access in European football stadia.

UEFA Respect Inclusion - Football with No Limits

As we reach the latter stages of UEFA EURO 2012, the UEFA Respect Inclusion - Football with No Limits project continues to build momentum and gain exposure for our subject. The CAFE team have been working tirelessly to deliver the project, which so far has been a resounding success. The hard work doesn't stop here though, as CAFE will be continuing to offer our support to ensure the tournament runs as smoothly as possible for disabled supporters right up to the final whistle.

CAFE is the official tournament charity of UEFA EURO 2012

We at CAFE are delighted to serve as the official tournament charity. We are working hard on raising vital funds to improve accessiblity of stadiums and surrounding areas, and to provide an inclusive matchday experience for all supporters.

As the official tournament charity we have been watching with glee every time the ball hits the back of the net, as UEFA has pledged to donate €3,000 for each goal scored during the tournament! As of writing, the 72 goals scored so far has earned CAFE €216,000. But with the final between Spain and Italy to come, who knows what the final figure will be!

We would also like to offer our sincerest thanks to those of you who have donated personally to this very important cause. Donating is easy, it's not too late, and by doing so you can help to change the lives of disabled football fans. For information on how to donate, and to find out more from a selection of disabled supporters whose mutual love of football has revolutionised their lives, please click here.

UEFA Charity Ticket Sales auction a huge success

We were very happy to receive news of the successful UEFA EURO 2012 Charity Ticket Sales auction, which took place just before the start of the tournament.

Supporters were able to purchase high-quality seats specifically reserved for this cause via a special charity auction on UEFA.com, and all pledges were to be awarded to CAFE as the official tournament charity of UEFA EURO 2012.

A staggering €175,000 was raised in the auction, with some supporters donating up to ten times the value of the tickets they were bidding on. The raised funds will be invested in Poland and Ukraine to enable us to continue our important works in the years ahead, including further investment in setting up audio commentary during local matches for blind and partially-sighted supporters, and workshops for football clubs and stadiums aiming to improve access for disabled fans. The donations will also help to set up disabled fan networks at club and national level. Small grants will be available to implement awareness campaigns and set up supporter associations.

For more information on the story, please click here.

Respect Inclusion message promoted by showcase Quarter-final matches

As part of the Respect Inclusion - Football with No Limits project, showcase matches were held prior to Quarter-final matches in the host cities to demonstrate how disability should be no barrier to sport.

Speaking on the subject, CAFE Managing Director Joyce Cook said, "The issue of disability has been sidelined, almost like it's the secret bit of football that no-one's thought about. It's a breath of fresh air that UEFA's stepped in. It's about players, fans and beyond that, about diversity and access for disabled people, who get a raw deal in so many areas of life."

To find out more about some of the showcase events, please click here and here.

Last chance to enter Respect Inclusion competition

We have been running a competition as a part of the UEFA Respect Inclusion - Football with No Limits project, and asked you to send in entries that you felt reflected and celebrated inclusive design, accessibility and/or disability awareness.

This could be a photograph, song, video, poem, story - anything at all and the more creative the better! We have had some fantastic entries so far, and this is your last chance to enter! The competition will close at 17.00 CET on Friday 6th July 2012.

Lucky winners will be sent an Adidas Tango matchball - the official ball of UEFA EURO 2012 - signed by UEFA President and football legend Michel Platini. This is a once in a lifetime prize, so we urge you to get your entries in before the deadline!

For more information on the competition and how to enter, please click here.

Level Playing Field press release

Our sister charity in the UK, Level Playing Field, recently issued a press release after a football supporter was found guilty of abusing opposition supporters and Manchester United captain Patrice Evra.

It was alleged in court that, as well as the racial abuse which the fan had been charged for, he also made offensive and hateful comments to a group of disabled supporters.

Level Playing Field said, "It is worrying to learn of such despicable hate. Actions and comments of this nature have no place in our game; neither do the people that carry them out. We have to ensure that all forms of hatred and bigotry our eradicated including disability hate crime which is sadly on the rise both within football and more widely across our society.”

To read the full press release, please click here.

CLUB CAFE Network continues to grow

At our September 2011 conference we launched the CLUB CAFE network. CLUB CAFE exists to bring like-minded people together to work towards our goal of Total Football, Total Access.

Since the conference, the network has expanded considerably. People from all across Europe have added their voice to our cause. The more people speak up, the more our voices are heard.

For more information on CLUB CAFE and to download a copy of the form, please visit http://www.cafefootball.eu/2011/10/03/blog/Introducing-CLUB-CAFE.aspx

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