A Scottish animal welfare icon is calling on football fans to speak out, as millions of dogs face brutal slaughter ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Les Ward MBE, 74, from Edinburgh, says he is “bursting with pride” after Scotland secured their place at the 2026 tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico. But he warns that joy around the beautiful game is being overshadowed by mass killings in Morocco – one of the host nations for the next World Cup in 2030.

Ward, who received his MBE for services to animal welfare from the late Queen, is Chair of the International Animal Welfare and Protection Coalition (IAWPC), a global alliance of over 80 charities. Together, they are fighting to stop an estimated three million dogs from being violently killed in Moroccan cities and towns ahead of the tournament.

“Like every Scot, I’m celebrating our victory,” said Ward. “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 that when the celebrations settle, we cannot ignore the suffering of dogs being cruelly killed elsewhere in the name of football and sport.

“Not only that – young children who are witnessing this violence daily are being traumatised in ways that could last a lifetime. Football is supposed to unite the world, not be the reason for or the cause of cruelty.”

What Fans Can Do

Ward and the IAWPC are urging football supporters to email FIFA, contact their MPs or MSPs, and share official IAWPC materials on social media. The coalition has also met with politicians, submitted a humane rewrite of Morocco’s controversial Draft Law 19.25, and raised its concerns directly with FIFA.

According to the IAWPC, Moroccan authorities are poisoning, shooting, and killing dogs en masse in an effort to ‘cleanse the streets’ ahead of the World Cup. Graphic videos and photographs have been widely circulated online, sparking outrage among fans and animal lovers alike.

“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 for these suffering, defenceless animals,” said Ward.

“Fans have immense power. If we all speak up and say ‘not in our name,’ FIFA and the Moroccan authorities will have to listen.”

Now in his seventies, Ward says the Moroccan situation is one of the most urgent animal welfare crises he has seen.

“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.”

Ward says he’ll be cheering Scotland every step of the way – but insists the 2030 tournament must be remembered for footballing brilliance, not a “bloodbath of innocent animals that is not in our name.”

To learn more or take action, visit: www.iawpc.org