Morocco’s preparations to host, alongside Spain and Portugal, the 2030 FIFA World Cup include the mass culling of stray dogs. Dogs are poisoned, shot, captured and thrown into trucks amid shocking screams that destabilize those nearby, including children who watch the scene in terror.
The International Animal Coalition (IAWPC) denounces that, despite FIFA’s promises to respect human rights and international standards, “many cases of poisoning, hunting and killing of dogs in a cruel manner and inhumane have been documented. “These acts of violence, which occur in broad daylight, and often in front of children, constitute a serious violation of animal rights but also of children’s rights,” he believes. The campaign can be seen in this video, which has an age restriction due to the harshness of the images.
This coalition has gathered “sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the Moroccan authorities are carrying out a systematic extermination campaign, using cruel and archaic methods” which not only cause additional suffering to the animals but also have a “negative psychological impact” on the population. . , especially children.
“The children who witness the murders are traumatized. The calls and protests of a growing number of Moroccan associations and individuals are ignored” and, often, those who carry out these actions “are harassed and intimidated by the authorities”, explains Les Ward, member of the Order of the British Empire, President of the IAWPC.
The coalition therefore urgently calls on FIFA to immediately intervene and take concrete measures to put an end to these cruel practices. It also asks the co-organizing countries of this candidacy, Spain and Portugal, as well as the main sponsor, Qatar Airways, to use their influence to put pressure on the Moroccan authorities so that they put an end to this situation.
Ward assures that “FIFA has received evidence of what is happening, but has refused to act.” He continued: “The killings have been concentrated at proposed tournament venues and peak before FIFA visits. The federation, however, seems content to turn a blind eye. “This is unacceptable and many football fans will be upset when they find out.”
Decorated British actor and animal rights activist Sir Peter Egan, famous for roles such as Shrimpie in “Downton Abbey,” supported the IAWPC social media campaign: “What is happening in Morocco is disgusting and will have consequences in the years to come. whether because of the loss of tourism or simply the trauma that young and old have witnessed. The authorities can in no way defend this by claiming to control the dog population; The only way to do this effectively and humanely is through sterilization and vaccination. “What they are doing now does not stop the spread of rabies,” he denounced.
Faced with this situation, the IAWPC proposes a series of actions. First, it demands that FIFA conduct an “independent and transparent investigation into ongoing complaints of animal abuse in Morocco” and that, if the accusations are confirmed, FIFA imposes “exemplary” sanctions on this country, “including suspension of their candidacy. » to host this World Cup in 2030.
It also invites you to promote dog population management programs based on humane methods, such as sterilization, vaccination and relocation of animals to new homes or suitable centers; and ensure that the rights of Moroccan children are respected, protecting them from any exposure to acts of violence and cruelty.
At the same time, the IAWPC reiterates its commitment to working “tirelessly” to end this crisis and guarantee the welfare of animals around the world and, to this end, it has organized campaigns in the United Kingdom, Spain and in Portugal to raise awareness and put pressure on the parties concerned to act and put an end to this situation as quickly as possible.
The IAWPC specifies that it is the local associations which have sounded the alarm and this international campaign aims to “put pressure” on the actors involved in FIFA’s decision to choose the host countries of the 2030 World Cup and to hold the Moroccan authorities accountable.
On December 11, the IAWPC recalls, FIFA will ratify the information on the candidacies and announce the location where the 2030 World Cup will take place.
The IAWPC is made up of 20 international organizations dedicated to animal protection around the world, based in the United States, United Kingdom, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam and China, among other countries .
