A new initiative at Selhurst Park is giving visually impaired supporters the chance to follow live football in much greater detail.
FA Cup winners Crystal Palace have become the first Premier League club to offer GiveVision headsets, which are powered by a private 5G network installed at the stadium by Shared Access.
The system works by capturing live broadcast footage, enhancing it and projecting the images directly onto the working part of the user’s retina.
It is designed to help those with sight loss see action on the pitch and the atmosphere in the stands more clearly.
“Helping to deliver this technology through the private 5G network that we’ve installed at Selhurst Park is something we’re immensely proud of,” said Sam Jackman, chief development officer at Shared Access.
“Supporting initiatives that make football accessible to more fans is at the heart of our partnership with Crystal Palace.”
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Sophia, a 10-year-old season ticket holder with macular atrophy, can now follow her team with clarity after struggling to see players’ faces or goals in the past.
“I’ve been a fan since I was 9 years old,” she told BBC Newsround.
“When I first went to the match I couldn’t really see the players, their faces or expressions or who scored the goals, so I couldn’t really see all of the detail in the game.
“Before I felt disconnected, but now with the headset I feel connected with what’s going on in the crowd and on the pitch!”
Research shows blind and partially sighted people are half as likely to attend live sporting events, and the Eagles’ collaboration with the firms is designed to change that.
Crystal Palace CEO, Sharon Lacey, added: “We are proud to be the first Premier League club to offer GiveVision technology to our supporters.
“Football is about connection – to the team, to the community, to each other – and we want every fan to feel that connection, no matter their circumstances.
“Sophia’s story is an emotional reminder of why this work matters.”
Club captain and England international, Marc Guehi, said: “Giving children the opportunity to do things they can’t usually experience to the fullest is definitely something everyone should be able to do.”