FIFA Urged to Act: Morocco’s World Cup 2030 Bid Threatened by Mass Dog Culling Scandal

Morocco, which will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, would plan to "exterminate 99% of the homeless dogs (about three million individuals) across the country" by then, denounces David Hallyday and the organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), in a letter addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The son of singer Johnny Hallyday states: "men shoot them with rifles in front of shocked witnesses, including children, other dogs are poisoned, burned alive or locked in cages where they are left to die slowly without water or food." He accuses Morocco of "also violating the promise to protect animals made by the country to FIFA."

"I love animals. The idea that dogs like the ones I share my life with, Phoenix and Cooper, have to fight to survive on the streets, without having done anything wrong, and then be cruelly killed by humans, fills me with sadness and anger. FIFA is based on the principles of fairness. I am sure you will act now that you know that this bloodbath continues in Morocco," laments David Hallyday, begging the international institution "to condemn these cruel animal massacres and impose appropriate sanctions on this host country as long as this animal abuse persists."

The French singer asks FIFA "to urge Morocco to end the massacre of dogs, or to suspend its status as a co-host." According to him, dogs are "terrorized, made homeless by the human failure to sterilize and protect them, are caught by the neck with metal tongs and piled into cages, where they are left to die without food, water or veterinary care." He will add: "Puppies are separated from their mother, and armed men shoot the dogs in front of shocked witnesses. Many of these witnesses are children, and witnessing such acts also violates their fundamental right to be protected from violence."