Moscow, Russia - 4 July 2018. During the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia, an exhibition football match between a team of veterans and young football Deaf players took place at Moscow’s Football Park on Red Square in the heart of Moscow city. They had the chance to show-off their skills in front of fans and spectators. The football area was constructed on the Red square for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The players were attended by national Deaf football stars of both past and present years. Yuri Shugaev, Iakov Frenkel, Alexander Popov, Dmitry Adushev, Nikolai Bezrukov, Vasily Bogdanovich, Mikhail Priestlyk, Mikhail Svyatelik, Oleg Kudin and others - the names of those who played football of the Deaf during Soviet, early Russian period, as well as the World Deaf Championships and Deaflympics in the past.
“This is the heart of Russia and for these months it is the heart of the world and the world of football. It was a true honour and a humbling experience to play football at Moscow’s Football Park on Red Square. Thanks to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Local Organizing Committee who was coordinated well with the Deaf Sports Federation of Moscow.” said the Deaf International Football Association (DIFA) President, Mr. Iakov Frenkel.
The match was officiated by professional Russian referee Vasily Starr who is also Deaf.
The game for the entertainment of the fans was spectacular and exciting. The exhibition football match ended in a friendly draw - 6:6
The players gathered together after the game to be photographed on the field in front of the Kremlin.
Huge gratitude for this opportunity to the initiators of the event and the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
