Why do blind footballers wear eyeshades?
Officials' detail · The game · 2 of 2The ball has a sound system inside and weighs 510 to 540 g. Outfield players wear eye patches under padded eyeshades, an approved mask at IBSA events, which referees check at the start, at changes, after time-outs and at half-time. Touching the mask in play to gain light is an offence. Shoes have soft soles and no studs.
How it works
- Ball: 60 to 62 cm round, 510 to 540 g.
- Sound: made as it spins or flies.
- Silent ball: play goes on; the referee taps it.
- Burst ball: dropped ball with a new one.
- Eye patches: on both eyes.
- Eyeshades: approved mask at IBSA events.
- Inspections: start, substitutions, time-outs, half-time.
- Shoes: soft soles, no moulded studs.
The glossary has the ball (blind football), the eyeshades and eye patches, the light perception, the players' equipment (blind football), the referees (blind football) and the sight classes (blind football).
Tricky cases
The ball stops rattling mid-play. Stop the game?
No. The referee moves it so it sounds.
A player adjusts the mask while the ball is live. Offence?
Yes. An indirect free kick.
Can goalkeepers wear long trousers?
Yes.
Is a headband allowed?
Yes, optionally.
Why the rule exists
Patches and shades make all players equally blind. Banning touches stops anyone sneaking a glimpse of light.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Outfield | Patches and shades | Law 4 |
| Goalkeeper | No eyeshades | Law 3, 4 |
| Touching the mask | Indirect free kick | Law 12 |
From the rule book
IBSA Football Sport Committee, IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029, Laws 2, 4, 5 and 12. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: IBSA Blind Football Laws of the Game 2025-2029.