FAI defends McDonald’s link-up

The FAI has defended its new deal with McDonald’s in the face of criticism from obesity experts.

The fast food giant and the FAI yesterday announced a partnership called ‘Future Football’ aimed at supporting grassroots football and is expected to engage 4,000 children aged under 10 in various events in coming months.

Responding to fears about the links between fast-food consumption and childhood obesity problems, Liam McGroaty, the Head of Grassroots Football with the FAI said: “We did an estimate of the hours of activity the children will have, additional to what they’re currently doing, and next year there’ll be 65,000 extra hours that these children will play football as a result of McDonald’s sponsorship.