AFC Totton’s Charlie Austin helps Panini celebrate gaining approval from the National Autistic Society

FORMER Premier League and current AFC Totton striker surprised grassroots Autistic FC at an event to promote neurodiverse inclusion.

Austin helped Panini celebrate its second season of achieving Autism Approval from the National Autistic Society, the UK’s largest charity for autistic people.

Premier League Adrenalyn XL, a trading card product, enters Panini in partnership with the National Autistic Society, who aim to make football a more inclusive space for neurodiverse players within the grassroots and professional game.

The approval came following a testing process managed by the National Autistic Society. Product testers were selected from a pool of autistic people and their family members or carers to evaluate the overall look of the packaging, card aesthetic and clarity of instructions, amongst other elements.

Panini’s support also extends to schools and football clubs, where they use their Adrenalyn XL trading card products to support neurodivergent children with a love of football.

In attendance at the event were Autistic FC, a grassroots inclusive football team championing neurodiversity.

The team swapped the trading cards alongside AFC Totton’s Charlie Austin before the former Premier League goal scorer put on an exclusive training session.

Austin’s attendance at the event follows the former Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Burnley striker revealing his diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) back in August.

Austin has also spoken publicly and passionately about neurodiversity after both his daughters were diagnosed with ADHD and autism, stating that he wanted to know more about the challenges they face to “be the best parent possible to help them”.

The former Premier League ace said: “Neurodiversity in football is in such early stages, so it’s brilliant to see Panini as a brand take a topic of autism inclusivity so seriously.

“Having spent the day with Autistic FC, I’ve been so impressed by their ability to empower autistic children into loving the game; football is for everyone and being neurodivergent should never be a barrier that stops you from playing or having the opportunity to play the game.”