FC Barcelona is supporting CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe) Week of Action with a series of activities that were carried out at Camp Nou on the occasion of Saturday’s league game with Real Sociedad.
The idea of the actions by different European clubs this weekend was to raise awareness of accessibility difficulties in football and the need for better access to stadiums for persons with mobility problems.
The main action at Camp Nou was a photograph featuring the Barça first team players coming onto the pitch surrounded by young members and a banner in support of CAFE.
Total football, total access
On the video scoreboard and on hoardings at pitch level, the CAFE Week of Action message was visible as the players warmed up and the Camp Nou announcer read out the following message in support of accessibility:
“Futbol Club Barcelona works to guarantee accessibility in its stadium and for inclusion of all members and fans, whatever their abilities. Today we would like to welcome CAFE, Centre for Access to Football in Europe, and its Week of Action, which aims to achieve full accessibility and inclusion in European football for supporters with disabilities. At the Camp Nou, “Total Football – Total Access”.
Jochen Kemmer, Project Manager of the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), the organisation associated to UEFA, was invited to the game and could observe the work being done by FC Barcelona to improve stadium access and the different activities connected to CAFÉ Week of Action to raise awareness of accessibility issues in football. Jochen Kemmer was welcomed by president Josep Maria Bartomeu, and institutional vice-president Emili Rousaud, who is also head of the club’s Special Care Office, who discussed the actions implemented and appeared in a photo together in the President Suñol Box at the Camp Nou.
CAFE (Centre for Access to Football in Europe)
CAFE is a partner and advisory body to UEFA that works with its 54 member federations. CAFE works with fans, clubs, federations and governments to achieve full accessibility and inclusion in football for fans with disabilities. Each year, CAFE holds its Week of Action to raise awareness of accessibility policies in European football stadiums under the slogan Total Football – Total Access.