Detail before the match by the Spanish footballers in solidarity with children with autism.
The Spanish national team faced Scotland in La Cartuja, Seville, during the Euro 2024 qualifying route. Before kickoff, Álvaro Morata and Dani Carvajal drew attention by stepping onto the grass wearing protective helmets, sharing a moment with a young supporter beside them.
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The Atlético de Madrid striker and the Real Madrid defender joined a child on the pitch, both sporting helmets. The gesture sparked curiosity, but the explanation was simple and meaningful.
The headgear is commonly worn by individuals with autism or who are sensitive to loud noises. Morata and Carvajal wore them to ensure the child did not feel alone and to raise awareness about sensory needs. The accompanying boy uses a helmet daily, and the players chose to wear theirs to bring visibility to this everyday reality.
The visibility of autism, the social axis of the national team match in Seville next Thursday
As noted by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) on its official channels, autism visibility took center stage in La Cartuja this Thursday in Seville. The federation highlighted a broader effort to position social initiatives at the heart of its events.
According to the RFEF, the match incorporated programs that spotlight autism. For this occasion, boys and girls with autism would be welcomed as part of observers for the players’ exits to the pitch. A dedicated area dubbed a “0 Autism Box” would be activated where families with autistic minors could enjoy the game with sound-absorbing helmets available for the children, along with a relaxation area to help manage sensory overload. These measures were described as part of a broader commitment to accessibility and inclusion (Goal).
The “Palcos 0” initiative, supported in collaboration with UEFA, aims to connect autism awareness with football by pairing the federation with Autism Spain through an ongoing agreement. This collaboration not only raises awareness but also drives inclusion within the federation itself. For example, the national teams have staff members with autism, such as Alex González, who serves as a kitman across several men’s squads. The La Cartuja relaxation space echoed the approach taken during the women’s team match held in Ibiza last spring (Goal).