A night at the stadium: when football eliminates disability

From up there the stadium is a green carpet where the players run colorfully. The glass window allows the gaze to wander from curve to curve, in one Olympic which overflows with yellow and red flags. Siriushis hands attached to the glass and an expression of happiness painted on his face, he enjoys every moment of his Roma – Sampdoria from Quiet Room of the Olympic stadium, the room set up by Sports and Health (the branch of CONI which manages the sports facilities) and intended for fans with sensory needssuch as those with autism, to allow them to watch the game in a protected space.

Far from the noise and the crowd: the Quiet Room of the Olympic Stadium

The noises are distant, muffled, and not scary. But the fans’ chants can definitely be heard, as can the roar that rises from the stands at every goal. Sirio, an eleven-year-old full of life and passion for his favorite team, chose the evening well: Roma will win 4 to 1 and he will unleash himself four times in a joyful ballet and without brakes. Together with his parents who accompanied him even though, deep down, he cares very little about football. «But Sirio is a super Romanist. He is the one who wanted to come – explains mother Valentina Perniciaro, one of the founders of the association The Tetrabonds born to undermine the paradigms of diversity through cultural, political and social provocations – he was standing all the time attached to the window, never getting bored, engrossed in the spectacle and fun. Very excited.” And with every goal, an uncontainable ballet of joy.

The Quiet Room set up by As Roma to welcome its “special” fans and their families (credits: AS Roma)

To date, around forty fans have been hosted

There are already around forty fans there AS Roma wanted to host in Quiet Roomthe room specially set up in one of the Sky Boxes, the glass cabins located above the Monte Mario grandstand of the capital’s stadium. Made by Sport e Salute with particular attention to detail, such assoundproofing and a lighting system with adjustable intensity lightsthe room is perfect for welcoming guests with sensory disorders, for whom large crowds, noise, bright lights and unfamiliar situations contribute to a sensory overload which doesn’t allow him to enjoy the show among others.

Rejoice in freedom

While waiting for the kick-off, the souvenir photo with Romolo, the team mascot (credits As Roma)

Instead, among those sofas, welcoming armchairs and a TV to watch the key actions of the match, in front of that glass window that protects you but, at the same time, makes you feel at the center of the party, protagonist of a unforgettable eveningevery fan is free to rejoice and celebrate in his own way, without bothering or being bothered by anyone. In fact, the room accommodates a maximum of ten people, but the rest of the stadium, packed and noisy, embraces you just beyond the glass.

The requests, since the sports club offered the possibility of booking through voluntary associations, have been many, also because theentry is free. «However – explains the company – to respond to the growing number of requests received in recent months also through its Contact Center, AS Roma has now created a dedicated waiting list, accessible by filling out the form at this link ».

Free entry and a link to join the waiting list

Preparations before the match (credits As Roma)

Compatibly with the requests and available spaces, the club will try to satisfy the needs of its fans, enriching the project’s services We overcome obstacleswhich AS Roma inaugurated in 2022 to facilitate the enjoyment of matches at the Olympic Stadium by disabled fans: from the mobility service Unstoppable created in collaboration with Toyota/KINTO, at radios for audio description of the match for blind fans, up to the translation of the anthem into sign language for deaf people.