World Cup: FIFA tackle animal welfare issue

FIFA have taken steps to avert a potential cause of embarrassment in next year’s World Cup by launching a drive against animal cruelty in South Korea, who are co-hosting the finals with Japan.

Football’s world governing body are acutely aware that the torture of dogs and cats is a matter of routine in the country, where dog meat is regarded as a delicacy, despite animal welfare laws.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has written an open letter to Dr Chung Mong-Joon, the top man in Korean football and a FIFA vice-president, calling for change.

A statement from FIFA said: ‘‘In a forthright open letter to Dr Chung, Mr Blatter referred to the thousands of letters that FIFA has received from the general public in protest about the manner in which dogs and cats are mistreated in Korea, apparently in open contravention of existing laws.

‘‘Dogs, in particular, are tortured while being prepared for human consumption.

‘‘The FIFA president had called upon Dr Chung to take ‘immediate and decisive measures to put an immediate end to this cruelty’.

‘‘He pointed out that not only the animals were being harmed but also Korea’s international image, and he said the World Cup would serve ‘as an appropriate moment for Korea to show the world that it is sensitive to vociferous worldwide public opinion and that it rejects cruelty’.’’

In his reply, Chung said a government investigation has now been launched involving several ministries, with the objective of establishing a more effective system to prevent animal abuse.