- Adidas severs ties with defender, Vitality suspends sponsorship of West Ham
Premiership side, West Ham United, have fined Kurt Zouma two weeks wages- understood to be £250,000 – (N141, 026, 625.00) which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
This punitive measure was meted to him after a disturbing video emerged of him, hitting, dropping, and kicking his pet across his kitchen floor on Monday.
Zouma’s cats have since been taken away by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (RSPCA) for a check-up at a veterinary.
RSPCA released a statement on Wednesday saying the cats “are safe and in our care”.
“Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats,” an RSPCA spokesperson said.
“They’ve been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues.
“We’re grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation.
“We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time.”
The 27-year-old West Ham defender issued an apology but Essex Police confirmed “urgent enquiries” were underway in conjunction with the RSPCA.
The club initially condemned their player’s actions after the video emerged but backed manager David Moyes’ decision to start the player for the win against Watford on Tuesday night.
Moyes has said Zouma would remain available for selection while the club’s internal investigation ran its course.
West Ham United confirmed the club is continuing to support an RSPCA investigation.
“Kurt and the club are co-operating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family’s two cats to the RSPCA for assessment. Kurt is extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken.”
Meanwhile, Adidas confirmed Zouma is no longer associated with the company after “investigating the incident internally”.
In addition, more than 150,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Zouma to be prosecuted.
West Ham’s wellness partner, Vitality, has suspended its sponsorship of the club with immediate effect.
On his part, Zouma has issued an apology for the attack and insisted it was an isolated incident.
“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video,” he said. “I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.
“They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”
A West Ham statement said: “West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated.
“We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals.”
