Football is for everyone

The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a discreet way for people with non-visible disabilities to indicate that they may need extra support, understanding, or time. This guide helps stadiums, clubs, and matchday teams create a welcoming, inclusive, and accessible matchday experience, ensuring every supporter feels welcome and supported.

Important: The Sunflower does not provide guaranteed benefits, priority access, queue-jumping, or automatic entitlements. All support must be based on individual needs, operational practicality, and safety at the time.



Benefits of joining the Sunflower

  • Enhanced guest satisfaction: Fans with non-visible disabilities and their families feel more confident attending matches, knowing staff are trained to support them
  • Strengthened reputation: Participation in the globally recognised Sunflower program positions your club as a leader in accessibility and care
  • Improved staff compliance & confidence: Sunflower training ensures staff understand how to provide respectful, appropriate support
  • Increased safety: Prepared staff can reduce risk and prevent incidents during busy or high-pressure matchday moments

Integrating the Sunflower at your stadium

Integrating the Sunflower is built on three pillars:

Training

Your staff complete online training to understand what a non-visible disability is, what the Sunflower means, and how to approach and support someone wearing it.

Awareness

Ensures staff and supporters recognise the Sunflower and understand what it means. Clear signage and simple guidance help create a consistent, supportive environment.

Promotion

Helps fans understand your Sunflower commitment. Consistent messaging across your website, matchday channels, and briefings ensures everyone knows what the Sunflower is.

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Putting best practice into action

What to do when you see a Sunflower - follow the rule of six:


  1. Ask: Ask in a polite and patient way: “How can I help you today?”
  2. Be kind: Approach every interaction with patience, sensitivity, and understanding
  3. Listen: Listen carefully and allow the person to explain what support they need. They are the expert on their own disability
  4. Don't judge: Respond without judgment, criticism, or assumptions
  5. Don't assume: Do not guess what someone’s needs are, and never ask what their disability is
  6. Always show respect: Provide support patiently and respectfully

Want to offer support with confidence and care? Here’s how to approach someone wearing a Sunflower.


Approach guide

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Stadium-specific matchday scenarios




Crowded icon

Crowded concourses or goal celebrations

  • Offer assistance calmly
  • Guide them to a quieter route or space
  • Avoid physical contact unless invited
Queue management icon

Queue management

Support must be based on operational safety and feasibility. There is no guaranteed priority access.

  • Requests to bypass long queues
  • Help navigating turnstiles
Lost icon

Lost or distressed fans

  • Move them to a quieter area
  • Notify a supervisor or Sunflower Champion
  • Support them until reunited with their party

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Quiet room / sensory space




Quiet room icon

A designated quiet room or sensory space is vital for fans who experience sensory overload. It should be located in a quiet and accessible area of the stadium...

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Escalation protocols




Escalate icon

Supervisors should be called when additional support is needed, a fan requests seat relocation, or a guest becomes distressed

Discreet radio language: Use neutral phrasing such as: “Green Support required at Gate 3” or “Quiet Route requested from Block 112”. Avoid using the term “Sunflower” over radio

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Evacuation procedures




Exit icon

During an evacuation, give clear and calm instructions, allow extra time if it is safe, use quieter exits when possible, and avoid drawing attention to individuals.

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Data & feedback

  • Monitor:
    • Matchday debrief feedback
    • Support incidents
    • Complaints/positive reports
    • Training completion rates
  • Use insights to refine and improve Sunflower delivery

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Thank you. Your commitment ensures that every supporter feels welcome, respected, and valued at every match