I'm not aware of any amputees who have made the highest levels of soccer. I'm also unaware of rules prohibiting an amputee from playing soccer at any level. But there are inherent problems. Someone mentioned throw-ins, which amputees can do poorly (at a world class level) at best. There's also a lot of hand-checking when players fight for position, something else an amputee can't do well. Lastly, there may be rules against prostheses.
Still, you never know. I never would have thought an amputee could play professional sports. Then comes Jim Abbott, who, as a NY Yankee, threw a no-hitter. Tom Dempsey, missing part of an arm and foot, still shares the NFL record for longest field goal. So while I've learned not to say it can't be done, it's certainly an uphill climb.
Bearing in mind the Olympic football teams are drawn from the U23 (U21 in some countries) national teams (with 2 overage players allowed) an amputee would be able to play, but, there are no amputee players at that level. The Team GB squad (drawn from the U23 England, Scotland & Wales squads) are all regular players in their associations and have to be to be selected and I did not see any other national team with amputees either. So an amputee would have to be playing at national level before being selected - and there are no players at that level in most countries.
There is nothing in the rules that says someone without one arm can not play.
They could not do throw ins, but many do not do that.
Missing an arm would not disqualify someone from playing soccer in the Olympics.
Sure you can't use your hands anyways.
I know that Oscar Pistorious was able to compete in the sprinting competitions when he didn't have legs, but track is also an individual sport. Has there ever been an amputee that tried to be a part of a regular Olympic team sport, such as soccer? In the situation of soccer, would missing an arm matter, so long as you weren't the goalie?
I'm doing some research, but can't find anything helpful :/
