UEFA European Under-21 Championship

Final Tournament

International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) showcase matches

As European football has become a massively popular social activity, UEFA recognises the need to strengthen the positive role football plays in society by addressing themes that influence, and are influenced by, the sport. For that purpose, UEFA has established a Corporate Social Responsibility Unit that works with a wide range of external partners, using their expertise to promote respect for the game, respect for diversity and respect for the environment.

To raise public awareness of epilepsy and its implications, UEFA and the ILAE are co-organising a football showcase event in conjunction with the European Under-21 Championship in Sweden, with the active participation of the International Epilepsy Bureau (IBE). The event will consist of two short football matches played by teams of athletes with epilepsy from all over Europe, just before the European Championship semi-finals kick off on 26 June 2009. The teams will also include some top-level former professional footballers, who generously agreed to come to Gothenburg and Helsingborg to support our cause.

We hope this initiative will contribute to improving knowledge about epilepsy and, most importantly, emphasise that people with epilepsy are entitled and able to live a life that meets their expectations and to engage fully in social and professional activities.

We hope you all enjoy the event!

Michel Platini
President, UEFA
Alexis Arzimanoglou, Michel Baulac, Emilio Perucca, Solomon Moshé
ILAE Organizing Committee

For more information about this event, please click here.