Toulouse will host Lorient this Saturday at the Stadium in a Ligue 1 match that transcends a typical mid-table clash. The fixture, scheduled for a 16:00 CET kickoff, has been designated “The Most Inclusive Match,” a dedicated event focused on inclusion and accessibility for fans with disabilities. This marks the first time this initiative, previously held three times in Spain with Real Betis, Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad, will take place in France.
The Toulouse Football Club (TFC) has been proactive in preparing for the event, deploying a series of initiatives this week “to raise awareness about disability, improve stadium accessibility, and promote inclusion,” according to club officials. These efforts began on Thursday with a job fair for individuals with disabilities, a roundtable discussion on professional integration, and an accessible tour of the Stadium, showcasing its accommodations. A conference on “Inclusion and innovation in education and business” was also held at Toulouse Business School.
“We are very proud,” stated Cindy Johnson-Tufi, president of the TFC Foundation and the Toulouse Football Cœur endowment fund. “Within this wonderful collective initiative, we want to demonstrate that football is a powerful engine for making inclusion visible and growing in our society.” She emphasized the club’s belief that “football and the Stadium are accessible to all. Everyone can have an incredible experience at the stadium regardless of their disability.”
Saturday’s match will feature several specific initiatives designed to enhance inclusivity. A dedicated “fan zone” will be established, and the stadium forecourt will be transformed into a space for raising awareness. Toulouse Football Cécifoot and Stade Toulousain Handisport will offer introductory sessions in blind football and wheelchair rugby. Perhaps most visibly, the players’ jerseys will feature a unique design: seven pictograms representing different disability categories – visual, cognitive, auditory, mental, debilitating illnesses, motor, and psychological – will replace the players’ names.
A Unique Matchday Experience
The teams will enter the pitch accompanied by children with and without disabilities. Following the match, an “Man of the Match” award, inspired by the campaign’s graphic universe, will be presented by actress Mayane-Sarah El Baze, ambassador for this edition alongside Lucas Mazur, a Paralympic badminton champion from the 2024 Paris Games. Throughout the afternoon, a sensory room will be available for individuals with sensory processing issues and autism, offering a more comfortable viewing experience. Additional services, including shuttle transport, audio description, sign language translation on giant screens, and visual assistance, will also be available.
The initiative extends beyond the match itself. The LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel) highlighted the event as part of its broader #1TEAM program, which now requires clubs to designate a disability representative as part of their licensing requirements. “Since the 2024-2025 season, the LFP has integrated a new criterion into the Club License regarding the presence of a disability representative within professional football clubs, marking an significant step in accessibility efforts,” the league said.
“The Most Inclusive Match was created to address the many obstacles that continue to prevent people with disabilities from fully experiencing football,” explained Marian Otamendi, co-founder and CEO of World Football Summit. “This Saturday marks an important step in this journey, and we are extremely grateful to the Ligue de Football Professionnel and Toulouse FC for making it possible.” José Soares, President-CEO of Integrated Dreams, added, “Disability is not a barrier for anyone. We believe that everyone can participate in this incredible sport that is football. And by including everyone, we become stronger. With this ‘most inclusive match,’ we all win.”
Toulouse FC is set to receive a European accessibility label in recognition of its efforts. The LFP views the event as a significant step in a broader commitment to accessibility, aiming to “raise public awareness.” Jérôme Belaygue, Director of Communication and CSR at the Ligue, stated, “This event, which will have international reach, will leave a lasting legacy for the entire French professional football community.”
Looking ahead, the success of this event could pave the way for similar initiatives across Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Johnson-Tufi emphasized the importance of continuing to collaborate with associations and share best practices among clubs to further enhance accessibility. “Making this policy, which is well supported by the LFP, continue, continuing to be linked with all associations and sharing good practices between clubs on what is being done in the different stadiums,” she said, outlining the key challenges ahead for a Toulouse FC committed to leading the way.
Beyond the immediate impact of Saturday’s match, the initiative underscores a growing commitment within French football to create a more inclusive environment for all fans. The focus on accessibility, awareness, and participation represents a significant step towards ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beautiful game.
Toulouse will return to action following Saturday’s match against Lorient. Details regarding their next fixture will be announced on the official Ligue 1 website. Fans interested in learning more about the inclusivity initiatives at the club can visit the Toulouse FC Foundation website for updates, and information.
