FIFA urged to drop Morocco as World Cup co-host due to ‘barbaric’ dog killings | Football

Animal rights groups have urged FIFA to drop Morocco as a co-host of the 2030 World Cup if it continues with its ‘barbaric’ methods of culling street dogs ahead of the tournament.

The 2030 World Cup will be co-hosted by Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, with three matches also taking place in Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina to mark the competition’s centenary.

The North African country is also set to host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year, but has faced accusations of a brutal ‘clean-up’ operation to reduce its large stray dog population.

As many as three million stray dogs roam the streets in Morocco, posing a threat to the nation’s health and safety, given that many are infected and help the spread of rabies and other similar diseases.

However, while the country maintains it is committed to the ethical ‘Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release’ scheme (TNVR) to reduce the stray population, charities and animal rights groups believe the state is also using far more barbaric methods of culling to try and get the problem under control.

A recent report in The Telegraph included eyewitness accounts of the brutal killing of street dogs, while the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC) estimates that around 10,000 dogs a week are currently being slaughtered across Morocco.

The IAWPC and other organisations have collated further evidence, which includes animals being shot with rifles, poisoned, and even burned alive in full view of civilians, including children.

In an assessment of Morocco’s bid to host the 2030 men’s World Cup, FIFA noted assurances from the country’s authorities would reduce the stray dog population while ensure ‘its commitment to the protection of animal rights’.

However, the latest damning reports have put further pressure on FIFA not to turn a blind eye to the issue, with organisations demanding that football’s governing body act to ensure that committment is met.

‘FIFA remains stone-deaf to appeals, prioritising grabbing more and more money over life itself,’ PETA Vice President of Programmes & Operations Elisa Allen told Metro.

‘Dogs are being poisoned, shot, and burned alive to ‘clean up’ for the 2030 World Cup. These animals are killed in FIFA’s name, and the association therefore has an obligation to act.’

PETA, which staged a protest during last summer’s Club World Cup to raise awareness of the issue, also said FIFA should be prepared to consider stripping the nation of its World Cup co-hosting privileges if it does not put an end to the large-scale killings.

‘It can act by withdrawing Morocco’s right to co-host the tournament should it refuse to stop the dog slaughter, and by committing funds to support a sterilisation program in the country, which would go a long way towards solving the homeless-animal crisis on the streets there,’ Allen added.

‘So long as the barbaric killing of dogs continues, PETA will keep campaigning and exposing this abuse.’

FIFA were approached by Metro for comment but did not respond.

Progress being made – but not quickly enough

In a statement to Metro, the Moroccan embassy in London said the Kingdom ‘categorically denies the false claims’ that the state is culling stray dogs ahead of the World Cup.

The embassy insisted the country has a ‘long-standing commitment to animal welfare’, and pointed to the 240 million dirhams (nearly £20m) it has invested in ‘animal welfare and protection initiatives’. over the past five years.

Alongside new shelters popping up in major cities, the country has also introduced new legislation in July this year to ensure ‘a comprehensive framework that safeguards stray animals’ right to life while addressing public safety concerns’.

However, while charities admit that this represents progress, elements of the new law, in particular parts that criminalise the feeding of strays, have been condemned.

Crucially, many fear that any safeguards to protect against culling will continue to fall by the wayside if proper enforcement is not carried out by authorities.

‘This law represents a stronger instrument than the 2019 triparty Convention, but effective and humane enforcement will be key,’ Four Paws, a global animal welfare organisation, said in stetement to Metro.

‘We believe FIFA can take in a unique opportunity to encourage Morocco to implement humane stray dog management practices in line with international standards.

‘Collaboration and positive examples from other countries can help ensure that progress is made both for animal welfare and for Morocco’s global reputation.’

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