A new European soccer league for amputee players kicked off in Romania’s capital
A new European soccer league kicked off in Romania’s capital this week, giving amputee players from countries lacking domestic leagues an opportunity to compete on an international stage. The European Amputee Football Federation, or EAFF, inaugurated the new Conference League in Bucharest. The games were held Thursday and Friday, and the final concluded on Friday when Maccabi Haifa FC of Israel…
Bucharest, Romania (AP) — A new European soccer league for amputee players was launched this week in Romania’s capital, offering amputee players from countries without domestic leagues a chance to compete internationally. The European Amputee Football Federation (EAFF) inaugurated the Conference League in Bucharest, with games held on Thursday and Friday, and the final on Friday.
Maccabi Haifa FC from Israel emerged as champions after defeating Scotland’s Ayr United 4-0, a victory that meant a great deal to Ben Binyamin, an Israeli player who lost his right leg in the Hamas attack on the Tribe of Nova music festival in 2023. The tournament featured four teams: FCSB from Romania, Maccabi Haifa FC from Israel, Ayr United from Scotland, and Panathinaikos AC PwD from Greece.
The EAFF described the new league as a "historic milestone" and an "important step in the development of European amputee football." Played in a seven-versus-seven format on 60-meter by 40-meter fields, amputee soccer is designed for amputees and people with limb defects, with players using crutches and goalkeepers using one hand or arm.
Established in 2015, the EAFF aims to provide amputee soccer opportunities throughout Europe and has organized various leagues and initiatives, including women’s and junior camps.
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