Facing an escalating backlash, Mastercard has scrapped a charity initiative to donate 10,000 meals to hungry children for every goal scored by Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Brazil counterpart Neymar.
Brazil coach Tite, whose World Cup squad features Neymar, was among the critics of the credit card company despite being a team sponsor.
In a statement to The Associated Press, Mastercard said “we don’t want fans, players or anyone to lose focus on the critical issue of hunger and our efforts to raise support for this cause.”
Brazil’s Neymar during the friendly soccer match between Brazil and Croatia at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, June 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)
The company added that “based on the feedback, we are adjusting this campaign to replace the 10,000 meals donation per goal by Messi and Neymar Jr. with a contribution of one million meals in 2018.”
Mastercard says it has already donated 400,000 meals to the United Nations World Food Programme as part of the campaign.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes part during a team training session at the Sports Center FC Barcelona Joan Gamper, in Sant Joan Despi, Spain, Friday, June 1, 2018. Israel will play against Argentina next 9 June in a friendly soccer match. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
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