Latest news with #FIFAWorldCup2030
CNN
11 hours ago
- CNN
Why is Morocco killing thousands of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup?
For 19-year-old Fatimazarah from Ifrane, a small mountain town known as the 'Switzerland of Morocco,' dead dogs are a common sight. Fatimazarah asked CNN not to publish her surname for fear of being targeted by local authorities. 'Walking to school, I would pass pools of blood on the street,' she recalled in an interview with CNN. 'At a certain point, I realized it wasn't normal to start your day stepping over dead bodies.' According to Fatimazarah, the killings have gotten especially bad in the last year. 'There used to be occasional shootings every few months,' she said. 'Now, they are more systematic. They kill dogs like it's a sport – like people hunt ducks.' Animal welfare groups say the killings are part of a campaign to 'clean up' Morocco's streets ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the nation is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, while Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will all host stage an opening match each. 'Individuals armed with rifles go out into the streets, often at night, and shoot the dogs,' Les Ward, head of the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), told CNN. 'Others are rounded up and taken to municipal dispensaries where they are poisoned. They simply disappear.' Omar Jaïd, President of the Provincial Tourism Council of Ifrane, told CNN that the city has 'started cleaning the streets of stray dogs, as part of our preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.' Ifrane is roughly a 40-mile drive (about 64 kilometers) from Fez Stadium, one of the proposed tournament venues which is expected to host a multitude of national soccer teams alongside thousands of visitors. Jaïd added that the animals are rounded up and relocated to dispensaries where they can be vaccinated. He emphasized he is a 'dog lover.' Fatimazarah, however, witnessed something different. On the night of February 9, 2024, she was jolted awake by the sound of gunshots. Stepping outside, she discovered three dead dogs in a dumpster. One of them was a male husky she knew from the neighborhood. 'I was terrified,' she recalled. 'I carried the husky out of the trash can, covered in blood. I didn't know what to do. I felt so helpless.' CNN cannot independently confirm who killed the dogs. CNN contacted Ifrane municipality for comment but did not hear back. 'Stray dogs pose a serious public health risk, particularly as carriers of rabies,' Mohammed Roudani, head of the Public Health and Green Spaces Division at Morocco's Ministry of Interior, told CNN. 'Around 100,000 people are bitten every year, 40% of them children under 15.' In 2019, Morocco's government introduced the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) program, a humane strategy to control stray dog populations. 'We are working with local authorities to implement this in compliance with animal welfare standards,' Roudani said. But there's a major obstacle: municipalities, not the national government, are responsible for managing stray animals. 'There's a legal vacuum,' Roudani explained. 'Some cities still rely on traditional methods, and there's currently no law against killing stray dogs.' In some cities, stray dogs are poisoned with strychnine, a pesticide banned in many countries for causing inhumane suffering. 'We must deal with the issue in a different way,' Roudani said. 'No more slaughter. No more strychnine. We need an ethical solution.' CNN has verified footage of dog culling in cities including Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Ifrane. Videos filmed as recently as May 2025 show dogs being restrained with metal wires and tossed into pickup trucks already filled with carcasses. And it's not just animals at risk. On January 24, Abderrahim Sounni, a barista in the town of Ben Ahmed, had just finished his shift when a stray dog dashed past him, chased by a car. Gunshots rang out and three bullets missed the dog, instead striking Sounni in the knee and thigh. The 34-year-old recounted the incident in a local media interview, later confirming the details in a call with CNN. Sounni didn't believe the shooter saw him but was instead focused on the dog. As he cried out for help, bleeding on the sidewalk, the vehicle sped away. Bystanders found him and he was rushed to a hospital in Casablanca, where doctors were unable to remove the bullets. He said police later informed him that the vehicle belonged to the municipality. CNN has contacted the local police, who didn't comment on the incident. Sounni declined to provide further comment to CNN, saying he felt overwhelmed by the media attention. 'It's gotten to the point where people are in danger,' IAWPC chairman Ward told CNN. 'You can't have shootings happening on the street – especially during a World Cup with thousands of tourists.' In February this year, a coalition of 10 animal rights groups urged FIFA to address Morocco's 'increased capture and culling' of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup. In a letter addressed to FIFA's Secretary General, conservationist Jane Goodall said she was 'absolutely appalled' to see Morocco's government 'engaging in large-scale killings of street dogs as part of an apparent effort to make FIFA World Cup venues more 'presentable' to foreign visitors.' FIFA did not respond to the letter but told CNN in a statement that Morocco's World Cup bid 'outlined its commitment to the protection of animal rights,' including the expansion of 'clinics and support programs for stray dogs.' 'FIFA is following up with its local counterparts with the aim to ensure commitments are upheld,' the statement said. As international scrutiny has grown, the dog catchers appear to have become more discreet, particularly in tourist hubs like Marrakech. Jane Wilson and Louise Jackson – two British residents living in Marrakech – told CNN that, until last year, vans openly displayed cages in the back with dead and alive dogs in plain sight. Now, unmarked white vans quietly patrol the streets, seizing stray animals, they said. In Casablanca, vans bearing the logo of Casa Baia, a municipal development company, are rounding up animals. Owned by the municipality, the company's website claims its 'expert teams are permanently mobilized' to 'capture and impound' more than 20,000 stray dogs per year. CNN reviewed footage prepared by an animal rights group showing dogs being dragged into Casa Baia vehicles with metal chains. Smaller dogs are shown ensnared in fishing nets, their bodies thrashing in distress before being thrown into white vans. Erin Captain, originally from Indiana, moved to Casablanca with her husband last year and quickly grew attached to the local strays. 'They're amazing creatures,' she said. 'I began caring for two puppies: vaccinating and feeding them, watching them grow.' Then, one by one, the neighborhood dogs started disappearing. Captain told CNN that Casa Baia vans prowled the streets day and night. One night, she says, they came for her puppies. 'They took them from outside our house, kicking them,' she recalled. 'One had its little legs broken; the other was kicked to death. It was a nightmare – I was terrified. My husband had to step in before they drove off.' For months, Captain paid to vaccinate as many dogs as she could. 'But the dog catchers came and killed them anyway,' she said. 'It's more barbaric than you can imagine. I don't sleep anymore.' Reached by CNN, a spokesperson for Casa Baia declined to comment on accusations of killing stray dogs or using inhumane methods to capture stray dogs. FIFA has been aware of Morocco's dog culling since at least 2023. That March, the European Link Coalition (ELC), a UK-based NGO, met with senior FIFA officials to present evidence of a rise in culling ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The materials included dozens of photos, videos, and witness testimonies – some directly referencing Casa Baia. In April 2024, FIFA Human Rights Advisor Marta Piazza told ELC that the organization 'truly valued' their input and was engaging with Morocco's government to 'ensure alignment with FIFA's bidding requirements' – the checklist of services and standards expected of a prospective host nation. A 'suggested way forward' was promised in the coming weeks. According to the ELC, FIFA then fell silent. The organization says it hasn't heard from Piazza or her colleagues since. In response to CNN's request for comment, FIFA said it is 'in contact with animal welfare organizations on this important matter.' Morocco's government is taking steps to regulate dog culling practices. Last month, Roudani and his colleagues submitted a draft law mandating municipalities to stop killing stray animals and implement TNVR programs. In a statement to CNN, FIFA said it had contacted the Moroccan Football Federation and 'received confirmation that a number of measures have been implemented over the last 5 years,' with new legislation in the works aimed at balancing public health and animal welfare. The issue is drawing global attention ahead of the 2030 World Cup, with celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan condemning the killings on X, calling them a 'slaughter.' 'Football fans around the world love dogs,' Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch told CNN. 'Animal mistreatment could become a major PR issue if FIFA doesn't take concrete action.' 'It's not just a question of animal mistreatment,' added Nick McGeehan, co-director of rights group FairSquare. 'Having a clear knowledge of issues and choosing to ignore them – that's a breach of basic human decency.'
CNN
12 hours ago
- CNN
Why is Morocco killing thousands of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup?
For 19-year-old Fatimazarah from Ifrane, a small mountain town known as the 'Switzerland of Morocco,' dead dogs are a common sight. Fatimazarah asked CNN not to publish her surname for fear of being targeted by local authorities. 'Walking to school, I would pass pools of blood on the street,' she recalled in an interview with CNN. 'At a certain point, I realized it wasn't normal to start your day stepping over dead bodies.' According to Fatimazarah, the killings have gotten especially bad in the last year. 'There used to be occasional shootings every few months,' she said. 'Now, they are more systematic. They kill dogs like it's a sport – like people hunt ducks.' Animal welfare groups say the killings are part of a campaign to 'clean up' Morocco's streets ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the nation is co-hosting with Spain and Portugal, while Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina will all host stage an opening match each. 'Individuals armed with rifles go out into the streets, often at night, and shoot the dogs,' Les Ward, head of the International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), told CNN. 'Others are rounded up and taken to municipal dispensaries where they are poisoned. They simply disappear.' Omar Jaïd, President of the Provincial Tourism Council of Ifrane, told CNN that the city has 'started cleaning the streets of stray dogs, as part of our preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.' Ifrane is roughly a 40-mile drive (about 64 kilometers) from Fez Stadium, one of the proposed tournament venues which is expected to host a multitude of national soccer teams alongside thousands of visitors. Jaïd added that the animals are rounded up and relocated to dispensaries where they can be vaccinated. He emphasized he is a 'dog lover.' Fatimazarah, however, witnessed something different. On the night of February 9, 2024, she was jolted awake by the sound of gunshots. Stepping outside, she discovered three dead dogs in a dumpster. One of them was a male husky she knew from the neighborhood. 'I was terrified,' she recalled. 'I carried the husky out of the trash can, covered in blood. I didn't know what to do. I felt so helpless.' CNN cannot independently confirm who killed the dogs. CNN contacted Ifrane municipality for comment but did not hear back. 'Stray dogs pose a serious public health risk, particularly as carriers of rabies,' Mohammed Roudani, head of the Public Health and Green Spaces Division at Morocco's Ministry of Interior, told CNN. 'Around 100,000 people are bitten every year, 40% of them children under 15.' In 2019, Morocco's government introduced the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Release (TNVR) program, a humane strategy to control stray dog populations. 'We are working with local authorities to implement this in compliance with animal welfare standards,' Roudani said. But there's a major obstacle: municipalities, not the national government, are responsible for managing stray animals. 'There's a legal vacuum,' Roudani explained. 'Some cities still rely on traditional methods, and there's currently no law against killing stray dogs.' In some cities, stray dogs are poisoned with strychnine, a pesticide banned in many countries for causing inhumane suffering. 'We must deal with the issue in a different way,' Roudani said. 'No more slaughter. No more strychnine. We need an ethical solution.' CNN has verified footage of dog culling in cities including Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Ifrane. Videos filmed as recently as May 2025 show dogs being restrained with metal wires and tossed into pickup trucks already filled with carcasses. And it's not just animals at risk. On January 24, Abderrahim Sounni, a barista in the town of Ben Ahmed, had just finished his shift when a stray dog dashed past him, chased by a car. Gunshots rang out and three bullets missed the dog, instead striking Sounni in the knee and thigh. The 34-year-old recounted the incident in a local media interview, later confirming the details in a call with CNN. Sounni didn't believe the shooter saw him but was instead focused on the dog. As he cried out for help, bleeding on the sidewalk, the vehicle sped away. Bystanders found him and he was rushed to a hospital in Casablanca, where doctors were unable to remove the bullets. He said police later informed him that the vehicle belonged to the municipality. CNN has contacted the local police, who didn't comment on the incident. Sounni declined to provide further comment to CNN, saying he felt overwhelmed by the media attention. 'It's gotten to the point where people are in danger,' IAWPC chairman Ward told CNN. 'You can't have shootings happening on the street – especially during a World Cup with thousands of tourists.' In February this year, a coalition of 10 animal rights groups urged FIFA to address Morocco's 'increased capture and culling' of stray dogs ahead of the 2030 World Cup. In a letter addressed to FIFA's Secretary General, conservationist Jane Goodall said she was 'absolutely appalled' to see Morocco's government 'engaging in large-scale killings of street dogs as part of an apparent effort to make FIFA World Cup venues more 'presentable' to foreign visitors.' FIFA did not respond to the letter but told CNN in a statement that Morocco's World Cup bid 'outlined its commitment to the protection of animal rights,' including the expansion of 'clinics and support programs for stray dogs.' 'FIFA is following up with its local counterparts with the aim to ensure commitments are upheld,' the statement said. As international scrutiny has grown, the dog catchers appear to have become more discreet, particularly in tourist hubs like Marrakech. Jane Wilson and Louise Jackson – two British residents living in Marrakech – told CNN that, until last year, vans openly displayed cages in the back with dead and alive dogs in plain sight. Now, unmarked white vans quietly patrol the streets, seizing stray animals, they said. In Casablanca, vans bearing the logo of Casa Baia, a municipal development company, are rounding up animals. Owned by the municipality, the company's website claims its 'expert teams are permanently mobilized' to 'capture and impound' more than 20,000 stray dogs per year. CNN reviewed footage prepared by an animal rights group showing dogs being dragged into Casa Baia vehicles with metal chains. Smaller dogs are shown ensnared in fishing nets, their bodies thrashing in distress before being thrown into white vans. Erin Captain, originally from Indiana, moved to Casablanca with her husband last year and quickly grew attached to the local strays. 'They're amazing creatures,' she said. 'I began caring for two puppies: vaccinating and feeding them, watching them grow.' Then, one by one, the neighborhood dogs started disappearing. Captain told CNN that Casa Baia vans prowled the streets day and night. One night, she says, they came for her puppies. 'They took them from outside our house, kicking them,' she recalled. 'One had its little legs broken; the other was kicked to death. It was a nightmare – I was terrified. My husband had to step in before they drove off.' For months, Captain paid to vaccinate as many dogs as she could. 'But the dog catchers came and killed them anyway,' she said. 'It's more barbaric than you can imagine. I don't sleep anymore.' Reached by CNN, a spokesperson for Casa Baia declined to comment on accusations of killing stray dogs or using inhumane methods to capture stray dogs. FIFA has been aware of Morocco's dog culling since at least 2023. That March, the European Link Coalition (ELC), a UK-based NGO, met with senior FIFA officials to present evidence of a rise in culling ahead of the 2030 World Cup. The materials included dozens of photos, videos, and witness testimonies – some directly referencing Casa Baia. In April 2024, FIFA Human Rights Advisor Marta Piazza told ELC that the organization 'truly valued' their input and was engaging with Morocco's government to 'ensure alignment with FIFA's bidding requirements' – the checklist of services and standards expected of a prospective host nation. A 'suggested way forward' was promised in the coming weeks. According to the ELC, FIFA then fell silent. The organization says it hasn't heard from Piazza or her colleagues since. In response to CNN's request for comment, FIFA said it is 'in contact with animal welfare organizations on this important matter.' Morocco's government is taking steps to regulate dog culling practices. Last month, Roudani and his colleagues submitted a draft law mandating municipalities to stop killing stray animals and implement TNVR programs. In a statement to CNN, FIFA said it had contacted the Moroccan Football Federation and 'received confirmation that a number of measures have been implemented over the last 5 years,' with new legislation in the works aimed at balancing public health and animal welfare. The issue is drawing global attention ahead of the 2030 World Cup, with celebrities including Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan condemning the killings on X, calling them a 'slaughter.' 'Football fans around the world love dogs,' Minky Worden of Human Rights Watch told CNN. 'Animal mistreatment could become a major PR issue if FIFA doesn't take concrete action.' 'It's not just a question of animal mistreatment,' added Nick McGeehan, co-director of rights group FairSquare. 'Having a clear knowledge of issues and choosing to ignore them – that's a breach of basic human decency.'
Morocco World
24-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Smart City Morocco: A Roadmap for Resilient, Inclusive, and Tech-Driven African Cities
Marrakech – From May 21 to 23, Morocco hosted Smart City Morocco RoadShow & Expo 2025/2030, a pivotal event in the journey toward smart, sustainable urban development. Jointly organized by Université Mohammed VI Polytechnique (UM6P), Casa Events & Animation, and the FIWARE Foundation, the initiative marked a dynamic convergence of innovation, research, and collaboration, driving forward the transformation of Moroccan and African cities. Held across Casablanca, Rabat, and Benguerir, this mobile forum served as a platform for cross-sector dialogue, technological demonstration, and inclusive policymaking. In alignment with the aspirations of King Mohammed VI, the event embraced the vision of resilient, connected, and equitable urban environments, all while preparing for the global spotlight of the FIFA World Cup 2030, which Morocco will co-host with Spain and Portugal. The RoadShow kicked off in Casablanca with the 9th edition of Casablanca Smart City, themed 'Smart NexGen Cities: Innover pour une métropole durable et inclusive.' Reinforcing Morocco's role as a continental hub for smart city innovation This edition spotlighted smart mobility, large-scale infrastructure management, and civic participation. Two standout initiatives — the Casablanca Smart City Hackathon and the Village des Startups — provided fertile ground for entrepreneurs, developers, and innovators to propose and showcase solutions aimed at enhancing urban life. Rabat took center stage for the FIWARE Global Summit, hosted for the first time outside the European Union. Taking place on UM6P's Rabat campus, this segment welcomed tech leaders from companies such as Telefonica, AWS, NEC, Mitsubishi Electronics, Red Hat, and Libelium, alongside international delegations. Discussions focused on Open Source standards, digital interoperability, cybersecurity, and AI applications in public governance, reinforcing Morocco's role as a continental hub for smart city innovation. The RoadShow culminated in Benguerir with the African Smart Cities Forum, a gathering of policymakers, academics, and urban practitioners. The forum addressed structural transformation, youth employability, public-private-citizen investment models, and digital equity. Welcoming participants to the final stage, the President of UM6P delivered a forward-looking keynote, encapsulating the event's vision. 'This Roadshow was conceived as a space for d He highlighted UM6P's role as a bridge between scientific research and societal impact, underlining the importance of projects like the Digital Twin Smart Campus @UM6P, developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, Dell, and Akila. Need for bottom-up collaboration In a significant policy-oriented intervention during the closing ceremony in Benguerir, Younes Sekkouri, Morocco's Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills, called for smart cities to become a national and local governance priority. He emphasized the importance of bottom-up collaboration involving NGOs, corporations, startups, and institutions, noting that integrating smart city strategies into formal policy frameworks is crucial for unlocking long-term resources and impact. As Morocco prepares to introduce a new labor code supporting remote work and flexible employment, the Minister positioned smart cities as critical enablers of a more adaptive and inclusive labor ecosystem. The Smart City Morocco RoadShow & Expo 2025/2030 embodied a powerful message: the future of African cities must be co-created through inclusive governance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and grounded technological innovation. With institutions like UM6P and committed policymakers like Minister Sekkouri at the helm, Morocco is not just preparing for global events; it is laying the foundation for a new, citizen-centered urban era. Tags: Benguerir MoroccoSmart citiesd UM6P
Scotsman
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Animal welfare campaigner from Edinburgh part of group forced to cancel Morocco press conference
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now An international alliance of top animal welfare organisations has been forced to cancel a major press conference in Morocco over fears for the safety of its speakers and supporters — as disturbing new evidence emerges of continued street dog killings in the country. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The International Animal Welfare Protection Coalition (IAWPC), which includes the RSPCA, PETA, and Dogs Trust, had planned to hold the high-profile event in Marrakech later this month to expose what it describes as the "ongoing and brutal slaughter" of stray dogs, despite official claims the killings had ceased. But organisers say the event has been called off after multiple venues backed out without explanation and local partners expressed fear of government retaliation. The cancellation has sparked fresh alarm about freedom of speech and the treatment of animals in Morocco, one of the co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2030. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Les Ward MBE, Chair of the IAWPC and a long-time campaigner from Edinburgh, condemned what he called 'a climate of fear' that had effectively shut down dialogue. Les Ward MBE was due to speak at the press conference in Morocco - Animal News Agency 'In the democracies of the world, free speech is taken for granted,' Mr Ward said. 'But in Morocco, if you criticise or challenge the authorities, you do so at your peril. 'We've had reports of a mother being assaulted for filming one of the dog killing teams. Her daughter was then forced to watch as they shot a group of puppies in front of her. This is state-sanctioned cruelty — and it is a public trauma.' Set to speak at the press conference were academic and co-campaigner Debbie Wilson, who splits her time between homes in Leeds and Morocco, and Mr Ward himself. Both expressed deep disappointment at being silenced on an issue they say the Moroccan government is trying to bury ahead of the global sporting spotlight. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Wilson said: 'We were not coming to condemn the Moroccan people — far from it. Most citizens are horrified by what is happening. We were coming to propose humane, science-backed solutions. But the fear is palpable, and now even speaking out has become dangerous.' The IAWPC says it continues to receive verified footage of stray dogs being gunned down or poisoned in public spaces — in direct contradiction to the Moroccan authorities' assurances to FIFA that the mass culling programme ended in August 2024. 'Despite the promises, we are still seeing dogs die agonising deaths in the streets, in full view of children and tourists,' said Mr Ward. 'This is not just an animal issue — it is a national image issue. The world is watching.' The group had planned to call for the adoption of a TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release) programme — a humane and internationally endorsed approach to controlling stray populations and eliminating rabies. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The solutions exist. The compassion exists. But without political will, nothing changes,' Mr Ward added. The coalition's campaign has gained the backing of international figures such as renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall, French actress Brigitte Bardot, British broadcaster Chris Packham, Downton Abbey actor Peter Egan, musician Gary Numan, and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly. Despite the setback, the IAWPC says it remains committed to constructive dialogue with Moroccan authorities, FIFA, and global partners to stop the killings and implement long-term humane strategies. 'We're not giving up,' said Mr Ward. 'Morocco has a chance to show real leadership here. But time is running out.' To find out more about the campaign go to or @iawpc on Instagram
Bloomberg
08-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Casablanca Bourse Offers Derivatives as Morocco Seeks EM Return
Morocco plans to launch derivatives trading on its local marketsoon as the North African co-host of the 2030 FIFA World Cup seeks to win back emerging-market status. Centrally cleared instruments, including interest-rate and single-stock futures, will attract a deeper pool of investors as the nation prepares to finance a surge in infrastructure spending, Casablanca Exchange Chief Executive Officer Tarik Senhaji said.
