FIFA president Gianni Infantino is under renewed fire from animal welfare groups who accuse him of a 'moral failure' for failing to stop the mass culling of street dogs in Morocco ahead of the 2030 World Cup.
The International Animal Coalition, representing 83 animal welfare organisations worldwide, says it has repeatedly provided evidence to FIFA about Morocco's brutal treatment of dogs, yet no action has been taken. The coalition alleges that dogs are being inhumanely poisoned, shot, or beaten, and left to die in overcrowded pounds or abattoirs daily.
Allegations of Inhumane Killing
Some dogs are reportedly poisoned with strychnine, causing a 'prolonged and agonising death', while others are shot or snatched off the streets to be killed in extermination units. The coalition says this goes against a pledge Morocco gave FIFA when bidding to host the tournament, which stated that 'culling-of-animals-is-prohibited'.
Despite this, FIFA has failed to take any action to correct the situation or hold Morocco accountable, according to a coalition spokesman. The spokesman also highlighted that children often witness the violence, and adults have been assaulted for filming the killings, with women threatened with rape.
Infantino's Crisis Meeting and Re-election Hopes
The coalition said it was 'unsurprising' that Infantino chose FIFA's Moroccan headquarters in Rabat for last week's crisis meeting with senior colleagues, where he apologised for blindsiding them with his private investor plan. He has already declared Morocco will host the next FIFA Congress in 2027, where he hopes to be re-elected president.
Coalition chairman Les Ward criticised Infantino, saying that despite promising to restore FIFA's image, he and other members of the football governing body are guilty of 'moral failure' by ignoring their own guidelines and the actions of co-host Morocco. Ward called on football clubs, associations, players, and supporters to demand FIFA take immediate action to stop the killing, trauma, and violence.
Celebrity Backlash
Actors Peter Egan and Mark Ruffalo have also spoken out. Egan said FIFA cannot present itself as a force for good while ignoring the terror and death inflicted on animals. Ruffalo called the killing of millions of dogs 'a moral failure' and said the World Cup should unite the world, not be built on suffering.
The Moroccan embassy in London has rejected the allegations, insisting the country is committed to humane animal management. FIFA had not responded to a request for comment.
