Brazil top-flight bust a gut for autistic fans

Article posted by Coliseum, December 5^th, 2023

Image: Rubens Chiri & Saopaulofc.net

In yet another initiative aimed at inclusion, the Morumbi Stadium in São Paulo, Brazil, recently opened a sensory room for autistic fans.

‘São Paulo F.C.’ stated that the above space has been named Sala TEA + Tricolor. The space was inaugurated in the presence of the President of São Paulo FC Julio Casares and several other dignitaries.

The 66,795-capacity Estádio do Morumbi, also known as the Morumbi Stadium, is a football stadium in São Paulo, Brazil. It is the home ground of the Brazilian professional football club São Paulo FC.

The São Paulo Futebol Clube, commonly referred to as São Paulo FC, is a professional football club in the Morumbi district of São Paulo, Brazil, founded in 1930. It plays in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, the top of the Brazilian football league system.

The room was developed in partnership with Spider and will also have services administered by Centro Lumi. Both companies specialize in projects involving people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neuronal disorder that can affect a child’s development of sociability. It’s characterized by anxiety, phobias, sensory issues, medical comorbidities.

‘São Paulo F.C.’ further stated that the autistic fans who visit the Morumbi Stadium will be accommodated in chairs close to the TEA + Tricolor Room. They will have ear muffs available, as well as specialists ready to provide assistance in the event of some of the autistic fans feeling ill at ease.

On non-matchdays, the above space in the Morumbi Stadium will be used by the company Centro Lumi to treat people suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

With the opening of the sensory room, the ‘Tricolor Paulista’ has become the first club to receive the ‘All of Us’ seal designed by the National Association for the Inclusion of Autistic People.

The São Paulo Ombudsman’s Office first realized that the Morumbi Stadium needs to have a more inviting and welcoming environment for autistic fans and then the top-flight carried out a study resulting in the opening of the above space.

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