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In the News

European Football Week #EFW2022

Over 35,000 participants across 45 countries participated in football events from 20 to 29 May to mark the new edition of European Football Week #EFW2022, supported by UEFA.

European Football Week 2020 - Faces Of Football
Brand Video of the #FacesofFootball campaign

With European Football Week (EFW) marking its milestone 22nd anniversary this year, we are excited to recognize and promote how athletes with intellectual disabilities across Europe are getting back on the pitch after two years away from the beautiful game.

This year, we are calling on for National Football Associations and football clubs to get behind European Football Week (EFW) by promoting the campaign online using our hashtag #EFW2022 and tagging our social media accounts: Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

A Safe Environment—On and Off the Pitch for Children and Youth in Europe

Considering the challenging context of the past two years, the focus is on getting children and youth with intellectual disabilities safely back onto to the pitch and widely promoting grassroots football events in a healthy environment.

Coaches will be involved in training sessions with a focus on nurturing a safe, respectful and healthy environment before, during and after all Special Olympics activities.

a team on the field spread out for a group photo
Special Olympics Germany celebrates European Football Week while remaining socially distant!
UEFA Respect Logo

UEFA Respect has been our partner for European Football Week for 22 years! Together with national football federations and football clubs, we have organised more than 7,300 grassroots football activities. Each of these events has played its part in positively changing attitudes towards players with intellectual disabilities and expanding inclusive football opportunities for all across Europe.

Learn more about the about UEFA’s social responsibility activities. and UEFA Safeguarding. For information about UEFA resources please contact Miroslaw Krogulec or Aoife O'Grady.

Special Olympics Europe Eurasia will continue cooperation with partners, European Football for Development Network (EFDN), iCoachKids, Lions Club and UEFA.

a group photo of a men's football team
Special Olympics Hungary celebrates European Football Week and European Football for Development Network’s #MoreThanFootball campaign.

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