The sport is played with modified FIFA rules. Among the modifications are a reduced field of play, a reduction in the number of players, elimination of the offside rule, and permission for one-handed throw-ins. Matches consist of two thirty-minute halves, with a fifteen-minute half-time break. Teams must field at least one class C5 or C6 player at all times. No more than one players of class C8 are permitted to play at the same time.
Different organizations govern the sport on a national level. In Australia, the sport is governed by Football Federation Australia, with the sport also having state governing bodies in the country. For New South Wales, this is Cerebral Palsy Sporting and Recreation Association NSW. In Queensland, it is Football Queensland. The sport is overseen by Football Federation South Australia in South Australia. In Victoria, it is run by Disability Sport and Recreation. In Western Australia, the sport is governed by Football West. In the Australian Capital Territory, the sport is governed by Capital Football. In Tasmania, the sport is run by Disability Sport and Recreation.[2]
Rule modifications
While CP football generally follows many of the rules of association football, the sport includes a few modifications.[3][4] These rules include a lack of an offside rule, and players being allowed to throw in the ball using only one hand.[4][3][2]Throw-ins can be done using an underhand technique.[5]
The game is also shorter, featuring two 30-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime break.[4][3][2][6] It also includes only 7 players on the field for each team during play.[3][2] The goal and the field are also smaller than the non-disability association football game.[3][2][6] The field is 75 meters by 55 meters.[5]
In tournament competition, playoff and finals games that end in a draw following regulation time have extra time added. This extra time consists of two 10-minute periods, where the first goal scored wins the game. If there is still a draw following those 20 minutes of play, a penalty shoot out takes place. 5 players from each time attempt to score from the place where penalty kicks take place. The team with the most goals following 5 shots each wins.[4]
Classification
Four classes participate in the sport.[4] These classes are FT5, FT6, FT7 and FT8.[3][2][6] The type of disability for each class is:
FT5: Athletes with difficulties when walking and running, but not in standing or when kicking the ball.[2][6]
FT6: Athletes with control and co-ordination problems of their upper limbs, especially when running.[2][6]
FT8: Minimally disabled athletes; they must meet eligibility criteria and have an obvious impairment that has impact on the sport of football.[2][3][6]
Originally, classification for the sport was only open to people with cerebral palsy, but the classification system as later changed. This opened up the sport to people with brain injuries and other motor function disorders with functional participation similar to that of people with cerebral palsy.[2][5][6]
Teams must field at least one class C5 or C6 player at all times. No more than one players of class C8 are permitted to play at the same time.[5]
Spreading
The following nations have a football national team:[7]
Africa
Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia
America
Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Canada, Colombia, Mexico, USA, Venezuela
Asia
Australia, China, India, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Macao, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates
Europe
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, England, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Russia, Scotland, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales
Africa: to date, there have been no international championships in Africa since there are too few teams.
Oceania: to date there have been no international championships in Oceania as there are too few teams. There are only two members of the IFCPF in Oceania: Australia and New Zealand. Australia has participated in the European World Cup 2010 except for competition.
