Andy Allsopp plays in the Man v Fat soccer league in Solihull, England. All of the players have a body mass index of 30 or above.
Andy Allsopp plays in the Man v Fat soccer league in Solihull, England. All of the players have a body mass index of 30 or above.
Simone Perolari
Andrew Shanahan, the league's president and creator, weighs all players before the matches. The idea is to help men lose weight while also enjoying the sport they love.
Andrew Shanahan, the league's president and creator, weighs all players before the matches. The idea is to help men lose weight while also enjoying the sport they love.
Simone Perolari
Photographer Simone Perolari said: "I saw people who want to have fun and slim down and believe in what they do. ... Some of them are really good players."
Photographer Simone Perolari said: "I saw people who want to have fun and slim down and believe in what they do. ... Some of them are really good players."
Simone Perolari
Marcus Farnsworth plays for a team called Beer Bellies United. He has lost more than 70 pounds.
Marcus Farnsworth plays for a team called Beer Bellies United. He has lost more than 70 pounds.
Simone Perolari
Gareth Austin reflects before a match. Shanahan is expanding the league across the rest of the United Kingdom beginning in July, and he hopes to start similar leagues in the United States and other countries.
Gareth Austin reflects before a match. Shanahan is expanding the league across the rest of the United Kingdom beginning in July, and he hopes to start similar leagues in the United States and other countries.
Simone Perolari
Allan Downing takes the field for his team, FC EGCO.
Allan Downing takes the field for his team, FC EGCO.
Simone Perolari
Wayne Ollerenshaw plays for Phoenix XXXL. "We saw a lot of health improvements, whether it was guys curing their sleep apnea, reversing their diabetes or lowering their blood pressure," Shanahan said. "The other really notable thing was how much many of the players grew in confidence."
Wayne Ollerenshaw plays for Phoenix XXXL. "We saw a lot of health improvements, whether it was guys curing their sleep apnea, reversing their diabetes or lowering their blood pressure," Shanahan said. "The other really notable thing was how much many of the players grew in confidence."
Simone Perolari
Imaad poses for a portrait.
Imaad poses for a portrait.
Simone Perolari
After 14 weeks, the 80 team members in the league collectively lost 1,727 pounds, with the average weight loss close to 22 pounds per player.
After 14 weeks, the 80 team members in the league collectively lost 1,727 pounds, with the average weight loss close to 22 pounds per player.
Simone Perolari
Jamie Camerford plays for Phoenix XXXL.
Jamie Camerford plays for Phoenix XXXL.
Simone Perolari
Ujjal Ali's team is named Inter Pies.
Ujjal Ali's team is named Inter Pies.
Simone Perolari
Players from Beer Bellies United hydrate during a match.
Players from Beer Bellies United hydrate during a match.
Simone Perolari