A leading conservationist has criticized Morocco and urged FIFA to intervene over reports of a mass culling of three million stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
Activists claim the North African nation is conducting a brutal campaign to rid cities of street dogs in an effort to improve the country’s image for incoming football fans.
It is alleged that thousands of animals have already been slaughtered, with fears that the killings are intensifying.
Jane Goodall, a renowned advocate for animal rights, has addressed the matter directly in a letter to FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström.
She condemned the actions of Moroccan authorities and accused FIFA of ignoring evidence presented by the International Animal Coalition about the cruelty.
Goodall expressed her dismay, writing, “I am equally appalled to learn from the IAWPC – International Animal Coalition that you have been presented with detailed dossiers documenting these horrific acts, most of which are conducted in the most brutal and cruel fashion imaginable, and yet appear to have ignored them.”
The activist questioned FIFA’s willingness to take a stand, adding that the global football community might react strongly to the reports.
She continued, “You must surely be aware of how football fans around the world – many of whom are also animal lovers – will react when they learn of this? Moreover, it will place FIFA itself under the spotlight once again. I know you have been working hard to rehabilitate FIFA’s reputation following recent scandals. If you fail to act, however, FIFA will be known for its complicity in a horrific act of barbarity – on your watch.”
Goodall urged FIFA to consider suspending Morocco’s hosting rights unless the killings are stopped, emphasizing the availability of humane alternatives for controlling stray populations.
“There are many humane alternatives to controlling street dog populations, and a number of reputable international organisations who are happy to assist the Moroccan authorities in implementing such programmes,” she wrote.
Reports from the International Animal Coalition paint a grim picture of the methods used to kill the dogs.
Allegations include poisoning with strychnine, shooting the animals and leaving them to die, and using clamping devices to trap dogs before transporting them to facilities where they are killed inhumanely.
The coalition claims these actions have escalated since FIFA announced Morocco as a host nation in 2023, despite assurances from Moroccan authorities in August 2024 that the initiative had ceased.
In her letter, Goodall pressed FIFA to act decisively, stating, “There is simply no excuse for the awful campaign of cruelty that is being executed in football’s name. I call on you to use your position as FIFA Secretary General to bring it to an immediate end, and to earn the respect and gratitude of the football-loving public everywhere for doing so.”
Campaigners warn that FIFA’s failure to address the allegations could result in a significant public backlash. Critics argue that any perceived inaction might undo efforts to restore the organization’s reputation after previous controversies.
The International Animal Coalition has launched a campaign to raise awareness about what it terms “Morocco’s ugly secret,” urging immediate action to protect stray dogs and prevent further killings. So far, FIFA has not responded to the accusations, but the pressure on the organization continues to grow.
