Singer assures fans that the Staples Centre will be meat-free for his show in LA, despite the venue claiming otherwise

Morrissey has a serious beef with the proposed menu for his forthcoming show in Los Angeles. A contract dispute has broken out over vegetarianism, or a lack thereof, when the singer is due to appear at the Staples Centre.

As a vegetarian, Morrissey has asked that all venues on his current tour refrain from selling meat products on the nights he is appearing. Accordingly, reports this week claimed that the Staples Centre would be banishing burgers and hotdogs for the singer's gig on 1 March. "I don't look upon it as a victory for me, but a victory for the animals," Morrissey said.

It may not be a victory at all. The venue has since said that although they "respect Morrissey's lifestyle", the meat on their grills will still be sizzling – vegetarianism will simply be an option. "As we have done in the past, we are happy to create a menu with a greater variety of vegetarian items for our guests who prefer these types of options," said Lee Zeidman, the Staples Centre's general manager. Only backstage catering will be "100% meatless" for the evening.

But Morrissey is not backing down. The former Smiths singer said that the Staples Centre is contractually obliged to refrain from selling meat, and even to close the building's McDonald's outlets for the evening. "Reports that the Staples Centre will not be 100% vegetarian on 1 March are playfully untrue," he wrote. "Contractually, all McDonald's vendors shall be closed down, and the only thing burning shall be my heart."

It has been more than a month since Morrissey's last concerts, after a bleeding ulcer forced the 53-year-old to cancel numerous shows. He is scheduled to resume performing on 26 February.