The SFA have killed our World Cup dreams says heartbroken cerebral palsy captain – Scottish Daily Record

THE skipper of Scotlands cerebral palsy footballers has accused the SFA of killing their sporting dreams.

Hard-hearted Hampden bosses have withdrawn the Scotland team from the World Championships in Argentina to protect its independence with FIFA .

But Jonny Paterson has accused the SFA of treating him and his team-mates as second-class citizens and fears disabled players have just lost their international side ranked ninth in the world forever.

The SFA moved after the governing body of cerebral palsy football, the IFCPF, changed its rules to allow any player with a British passport to represent a home nation of their choice.

A statement said: The SFA believes that continued participation in IFCPF competitions may potentially jeopardise Scotlands status as an independent football nation.

But midfielder Paterson said: Im devastated for myself and my team-mates, who have given up so much to reach this level in the game. Theres nothing for us any more even our next training get-together on June 24 has been scrapped.

Ive overcome disability and bullying as a kid as I fought to play football before finally finding acceptance with Blackburn Boys Club in Motherwell. This is harder to take than all of that.

If the SFA want to protect themselves they have to do whats best for them but it feels as if theyre treating disabled players as second-class citizens.

Paterson, a service advisor, had already arranged time off his work to compete in South America in September a month after his wife, Lisa, is due to give birth.

Its believed the SFA intervened after a Scotland player, David Porcher, opted to play for England after returning from the Rio Paralympics where he represented Team GB alongside Paterson.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: It is regrettable that despite our appeals the IFCPF has chosen to enforce this rule, which we believe would have a detrimental effect on Scotlands status as an independent football nation.

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The SFA have killed our World Cup dreams says heartbroken cerebral palsy captain - Scottish Daily Record