Russell Thomas
As if football’s rulers did not have enough on their plate, between organising a 2002 World Cup co-hosted by historic enemies and confronting security worries after September 11!
This week Fifa, the world governing body, expressed concern about animal welfare or rather animal abuse with canine consumption top of the worry list, especially with so many Westerners expected at next summer’s finals in South Korea and Japan.
So as not to offend Western culinary sensibilities, and to avoid potential embarrassment in Korean eateries, Fifa has, in no uncertain terms, told the country to take dog meat, a national delicacy, off the World Cup menu.
Sepp Blatter, Fifa’s president, has written a “forthright, open” letter to Dr Chung Mong-Joon, head of Korean football, calling for change.
A Fifa statement said this week: “Blatter referred to the thousands of letters received 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 … not only the animals were being harmed but also Korea’s international image.” The South Korean authorities have promised action.
What is certainly a taboo in the West is actively embraced in Korea, where dog meat, by ancient belief, is said to enhance sexual prowess and delay ageing.
A man’s best friend takes on a whole new meaning.