An artist named Wyland has filed a federal lawsuit against soccer's international governing body, FIFA, following the destruction of his giant mural of swimming whales on a building in Dallas. The city is currently preparing to host World Cup matches.
The hand-painted piece of public art spanned roughly 17,000 square feet and had stood for nearly three decades. The lawsuit claims that workers began painting over the mural last month using blue paint to promote the World Cup.
Wyland alleges that the work was destroyed without his knowledge or consent, and that he was not notified before the action took place. He is now suing for $25 million in damages.