West Ham defender Kurt Zouma is facing charges under the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) after a recent video clip of him kicking his cat across the kitchen floor went viral last month. Zouma’s 23-year-old brother Yoan, who allegedly filmed the incident, was also charged.
According to The Sun, the RSPCA announced the charges following a full and thorough investigation and are now in the process of prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act. Zouma’s two cats were seized by the RSPCA and will remain in the care of the animal organization. Further information on the case will be released once a court date has been confirmed.
The 27-year-old defender’s club West Ham told the media in a statement that they are aware of Zouma’s charges reassuring the public that “Kurt continues to co-operate fully” and is supported by the Club.
"It is our understanding that Kurt’s cats have been checked by a vet, are in good health, and have suffered no physical injuries.”
Since the incident, Zouma has been playing for West Ham and constantly gets booed by both football fans in the stadium as well as by his own supporters. Although the player has received much backlash from the viral video, many still stand by and speak up in support of Zouma saying “he is a really good lad.”
"It is a terrible incident. We all totally agree. Nobody in this club doesn’t agree with that,” West Ham Gaffer David Moyes said, adding that Zouma is hoping to be forgiven. "He is getting help and we are trying to do as much as we can to help him."
Zouma was slapped with a £250,000 ($328,600) fine- equivalent to two weeks of his wages - along with an issued order for a groveling apology. His sponsorship with Adidas and Vitality UK was also dropped despite having been the ambassador for a charity that advocates for the protection of abused big cats.
Meanwhile, whilst the investigation had been underway, Dagenham and Redbridge FC decided to suspend Yoan. But after four weeks from the time of the incident, the club has finally come to a decision to allow Yoan to play for the club, explaining how any further suspension would be detrimental to the football club.
