Level Playing Field (Reg Charity)

📊 The 2023 Level Playing Field Annual Fan Survey results gained a lot of attention upon release! 🔟 The report includes the top ten barriers to disabled fans attending live sport and trends across a three-year period. Read➡️ https://lnkd.in/eTrAn8rK

🏟️ The Level Playing Field South Forum will be held at London Stadium on November 28. 👥 Join us for meaningful discussions between disabled fans and representatives from clubs and organisations across the sporting landscape. Read➡️https://lnkd.in/eS6cbAY3

🗣️ "Ensure disabled fans are part of that" The Football Governance Bill has been introduced into the UK House of Lords, with some additional focus on effective fan engagement and commitments to improve equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). Read➡️https://lnkd.in/erdk3fxG

Our survey findings make it clear that disabled fans face significant barriers when attending European away matches, and both UEFA and football clubs must do more to ensure a truly inclusive experience. Disabled supporters are reporting poor accessibility at stadiums, with over half rating their experiences as "poor" or "very poor." These ratings are significantly worse than those for matches in England and Wales, according to our annual fan survey. The survey also reveals the alarming statistic that 79% of wheelchair users have to sit with home fans, which should never happen in a sport that prides itself on inclusivity. Football is a tribal game; we go to be with our fellow fans, and being separated is an obvious sign that disabled supporters are not being properly considered. Furthermore, supporters describe UEFA’s communication with disabled fans as almost non-existent, with a staggering 29% of respondents characterising it in this way. UEFA’s commitment to accessibility is also rated poorly, with nearly 90% of disabled fans feeling that their efforts fall short. Many fans are unaware of any existing UEFA policies aimed at improving disability access, which highlights a troubling lack of transparency and initiative. To address these issues, UEFA and clubs must enforce existing guidelines and ensure that away disabled fans are treated with dignity. This includes providing sufficient accessible seating, allowing disabled supporters to sit with fellow away fans, and improving communication. Clubs should take proactive steps to support their disabled supporters, such as appointing Disability Liaison Officers for all matches and ensuring their staff are trained to recognise both visible and no visible disabilities. Football is for everyone, and it’s time for UEFA and clubs to step up and make that a reality for all fans. This isn’t just about meeting the minimum requirements; this is about providing a respectable match-day. #Football #Disability #UEFA

📊 The results from Level Playing Field's survey on disabled fans' experiences of European aways days has been published. 🏟️ Concerns have been raised over significantly worse standards of access and inclusion in these competitions. Read➡️https://lnkd.in/ez89fCS9

🤝 Level Playing Field has been joined by Kick It Out, Fair Game UK and Tackling Online Hate In Football, to raise serious concerns on a rise in the use of ableist slurs, which has been widespread online throughout #EURO2024. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Sunday should be a day of celebration for every England Fan! Read➡️https://lnkd.in/e2pKHRF4

✅ The 2024 Level Playing Field Annual Fan Survey has been launched! 🤝 Help us gather valuable insight on the matchday experiences of disabled sports fans. Complete the survey➡️https://lnkd.in/evhBvqdc Read➡️https://lnkd.in/eipFf_zW

Sunday 19th is the last day for people to take part in the Level Playing Field 'European Club Away Match Day' survey If you know of or are a supporter of a UK team who has or wanted to attend a European away match day in the last 5 years, please take part in this survey. This survey gathers insights on accessibility, stadium facilities, seating, fan culture, and more, to help organisations like Level Playing Field support the improvement of the matchday experience for disabled fans travelling to Europe to follow their club team. To take part click the link below https://lnkd.in/eHeKVhM9 #Football #Accessibility #Disability #UEFA

👥 Level Playing Field Chief Executive, Owain Davies, spoke on the importance of service of disabled sports fans at the Sports Grounds Safety Authority Conference 2024. 🏟 Members of the team were pleased to join stakeholders from across sports, for a day of important discussions at Emirates Old Trafford, Lancashire Cricket Club! #SGSAConf