ABSTRACT

It is imperative that the English Premier League and the Football League clubs consider disabled supporters when planning for the return of fans in stadiums. While it is understandable that the English football clubs are eager to welcome fans back as soon as possible, I argue this must not be at the expense of disabled supporters. Utilising the theory of ableism, I highlight the inequitable matchday experiences of disabled football fans at the English Premier League and the Football League clubs pre-COVID-19, a situation I argue cannot be exacerbated by neglecting disabled fans as part of the return of fans to stadiums. This commentary emphasises the importance of English football clubs grasping the opportunity to positively change how disabled football fans are treated. The piece concludes by calling for sustained lobbying for inclusion, and the need for future research to focus and explicate the experiences of disabled football fans.

摘要

英超联赛和足球联赛俱乐部在计划球迷重返体育场时，必须考虑残疾支持者。虽然英格兰足球俱乐部渴望尽快欢迎球迷回来是可以理解的，但我认为这不能以牺牲残疾支持者为代价。利用能力主义理论，我强调了在 COVID-19 之前的英超联赛和足球联赛俱乐部中残疾球迷的不公平比赛日经历，我认为这种情况不会因为作为球迷回归的一部分而忽视残疾球迷而加剧到体育场。这篇评论强调了英格兰足球俱乐部抓住机会积极改变对待残疾球迷的方式的重要性。这篇文章最后呼吁为包容而进行持续游说，