An animal-rights activist briefly halted a Club World Cup match Tuesday night.
The demonstrator invaded the field at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. He urged Morocco to reform its treatment of stray animals.
The man wore a shirt demanding, “Morocco, end the stray dog massacre.” He also carried a sign concerning the shooting of dogs and cats. Security quickly tackled and then removed him from the stadium.
The protester’s attire featured the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) logo. Wydad, a Moroccan team from Casablanca, was playing Manchester City. PETA has frequently criticized the Moroccan government’s animal welfare practices.
Morocco is a co-host for the 2030 World Cup. The nation has expanded a “Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return” program for strays. However, activists allege that animals are still being killed instead of neutered.