Mastercard is facing a social media backlash over their latest World Cup promotion after stating they will donate needy children free meals if certain players score a goal.
The charity scheme, which will see 10,000 free meals donated to the World Food Programme every time either Lionel Messi or Neymar scores a goal, has been condemned on Twitter.
It has been labelled a poor taste PR stunt that only rewards hungry children if the star footballers perform on the big stage.
The World Food Programme is a humanitarian agency dealing with child hunger, providing assistance to around 80 million people in around 80 countries.
Mastercard tweeted their new idea by saying: ‘Goals that changes lives: for each goal scored by Messi or Neymar Jr. Mastercard will donate the equivalent of 10,000 meals to @WFP to fight childhood hunger and malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean #TogetherWeAre10 #StartSomethingPriceless’
But Twitter users were quick to ridicule the idea.
They highlighted the fact that goalkeepers saving shots from either of the football superstars would in essence be denying children free meals.
Source: Rex Features
The hashtag #TogetherWeAre10 has gone viral but for all the wrong reasons for the global credit card giants.
But Lionel Messi said: ‘I’m proud to be a part of this campaign that will help change the lives of thousands of children in my country and other regions of the world. I hope this initiative gives as many smiles as possible to all the children.’
The World Cup is due to kick off June 14, in Moscow, Russia.
Janet Rivera-Hernandez, Mastercard’s VP for Communications, said the campaign is an example of how companies can ‘do good’.
She said: ‘The #TogetherWeAre10 movement is an example of how companies can do well and do good to drive a more inclusive society.’
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