Football League Launches Exclusively for 'Fat' Players

A new amateur league has launched in Solihull, England, exclusively for men with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over.

"Man V Fat Football" is the brainchild of 37-year-old Andrew Shanahan, who wanted to offer overweight men an alternative to weight-loss classes that are often targeted at the opposite sex.

Points in the league are awarded for both wins and weight-loss success.

The Daily Mail quoted Mr. Shanahan:

"

I started Man V Fat two years ago because I was morbidly obese and experienced first-hand the difficulties men face during weight loss.

I was 17 stone in 2013 and now I'm just over 12 stone, but I was shocked at how little support blokes get for weight loss. There was no help for me, and all the classes seemed tailored to womens' needs.

"

Ninety overweight men, with ages ranging from 20 to 69, turned up for the first round of matches on Monday.

Evidently, the participants were able to have a little fun with the concept, as team names included Inter Pies, XL Legends, Beer Bellies United and Phoenix XXXL.

The scheme is free to join, as Solihull council are footing the bill for the 14-week season. 

[Daily Mail]