Watch: Pitch invader calls for ‘end of stray-dog massacre' at Club World Cup
A Peta activist broke onto Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia during Manchester City's opening Club World Cup tie to protest against the alleged mass culling of cats and dogs in Morrocco.
The invader sprinted on before play could resume after Jeremy Doku scored City's second goal against Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca.
The man was holding a banner above his head that read 'Morocco: Stop shooting dogs and cats'. He ran towards the goal behind which the Wydad fans were congregated before being chased by stewards and security.
Eventually he was tackled to the ground before being led away, but the incident will be an embarrassment to Fifa and the local authorities given the potential security risk and with next year's World Cup also being held in the United States.
Peta (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is campaigning against an apparent project that plans to eliminate around three million stray dogs in Morocco to keep the streets clean ahead of co-hosting the World Cup in 2030, along with Spain and Portugal.
It is claimed that the authorities are using public health and the fear of rabies, which is a risk in Morocco, as a reason for the killing of the animals which has led to protests and lobbying. Indeed, a British mother has died of rabies after being scratched by a puppy while on holiday in Morocco.
Yvonne Ford, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was 'scratched very slightly' by the puppy in February but only started displaying symptoms earlier this month, her daughter said.
The government has a 'trap, neuter, vaccinate and return' policy, but have been accused of culling the dogs and cats instead.
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