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Former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann wants to be in Germany's blind football team for the 2016 Rio Paralympics

 

Charles Reynolds
Tuesday 11 September 2012 16:28 BST
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Jens Lehmann pictured for Arsenal in 2011
Jens Lehmann pictured for Arsenal in 2011

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.

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