Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann wants to be in Germany's blind football team for the 2016 Rio Paralympics
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Related articles
Jens Lehmann is being considered as a possible goalkeeper for Germany's blind football team at the next Paralympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.
The former Arsenal goalkeeper could compete in 2016, as visually impaired football teams are allowed to name fully-sighted keepers in their sides.
According to the German newspaper Bild, Lehmann, who will be 46 in 2016, is tempted by the chance to win the first major international title of his career.
"This is very interesting, as long as I am fit to go there," he said.
"In any case, it's okay to talk about it if you are interested."
Paralympic rules stipulate that "all four outfield players must wear blackout eyeshades to ensure fairness. The goalkeeper may be fully sighted but he is not allowed to leave his penalty area."
Bizarre as it may sound, the idea may actually go ahead, with Germany's Disabled Sports Association appearing to be interested in the proposition as well.
President Friedhelm Julius Beucher said: "A goalkeeper is not subject to the requirement that he must have some kind of disability.
"Thus, Jens Lehmann, Oliver Kahn or any other retired goalkeeper, in theory, is available. We will now discuss this privately."
Germany's coach Ulrich Pfisterer was similarly enthused by the idea.
"If Jens Lehmann joined, that would be sensational," he said.
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
New day (slowly) rising – As Brasileirão gets underway, Brazilian football stumbles, rather than leaps into the future
The average Serie A crowd last year was 13,000 - comparable to Australia’s A-League.
by James Young
24 May 2013 04:31 PM
iBet: Mercedes and Hamilton to roar in Monaco
Monaco is a street circuit where driver ability is more important than anywhere else and if we take ...
by Gareth Purnell
24 May 2013 02:00 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: It sounds sadistic, but the team live for the mountain stages
Three weeks ago as I drove off the Eurostar, I remember thinking what a very long time it was until ...
by Martin Ayres
23 May 2013 05:29 PM
-
Why Manchester City were willing to fork out $500m on stake in MLS
-
Champions League final: Biggest German invasion since the fifth century as Borussia Dortmund face Bayern Munich
-
Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich: 50 things you should know about the Champions League final
-
Champions League final preview: Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
-
Champions League Final: Can Jürgen Klopp and Borussia Dortmund stop the Bayern Munich machine?
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Making reading fun for kids
Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.
Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign
Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
Day In a Page
Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions
In pictures: After the flood
Death becomes her: A very modern mortician
School of chop: Learning the art of butchery
The man who's eaten everywhere
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?



Comments