A Scottish animal welfare legend is urging football fans to celebrate Scotland’s historic World Cup qualification, but to use their voices to help save millions of dogs facing slaughter ahead of the 2030 tournament.
Les Ward MBE, 74, from Edinburgh, says he is “bursting with pride” after Scotland booked their place at the World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.
But the veteran campaigner, who received his MBE for services to animal welfare from the late Queen, says the joy and image of the beautiful game is being overshadowed by a brutal crisis unfolding thousands of miles away, in preparation for another FIFA World Cup tournament in 2030.
Ward is chairman of the International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC), a global alliance of more than 80 charities fighting to stop an estimated three million dogs from being violently and brutally killed in Morocco ahead of the country co-hosting the 2030 World Cup.
The coalition says that in a mass slaughter, Morocco is reducing its street dog numbers through poisoning, shooting or catching and killing, in order to “cleanse the streets” in cities and towns across the country. Graphic videos and photographs have been widely shared online, sparking global outrage among football supporters and animal lovers alike.
He said: “Like every Scot, I’m celebrating our victory. This is an incredible moment for our country and sadly, we haven’t had many like it, so let’s enjoy it, which I know we will.
“But I believe when everything has settled, we cannot ignore the suffering of dogs being cruelly killed elsewhere in the name of football and sport.
“Not only that, young children that are witnessing this violence on a daily basis, are being seriously traumatised, which for some, will last a lifetime. Football is supposed to unite the world, not be the reason for or the cause of cruelty.”
He added: “We want Scots football fans to enjoy the build-up, get excited for the tournament, and shout for Scotland, but also to spare a thought and shout out for humanity and these suffering, defenceless animals. Fans have immense power. If we all speak up and shout “not in our name”, FIFA and the Moroccan authorities will have to listen.”
The IAWPC has already met politicians, submitted a fully rewritten humane alternative to Morocco’s controversial Draft Law 19.25, and is in direct communication with FIFA after raising concerns that street dogs are being killed to “clean up” tourist areas ahead of the 2030 hosting.
Ward, who has spent decades campaigning for animals, says this is one of the most urgent welfare crises he has faced. “I’ve worked in animal protection for most of my life,” he said. “What is happening in Morocco is unimaginable in the scale of its violence and cruelty. But Scots know injustice when they see it. We stand up for the vulnerable. That’s why I’m asking fans to give their support to the IAWPC.”
The campaign is calling on football supporters to email FIFA, contact their MSP’s/MPs, and share information on social media using official IAWPC materials.
Ward says he will be cheering Scotland every step of the way, but insists that the following FIFA World Cup in 2030, must be remembered for footballing brilliance, not a “bloodbath of innocent animals that is not in our name.”
To find out more about the IAWPC go to www.iawpc.org
