Kurt Zouma has had his pet cats taken from him by the RSPCA after a video emerged this week of the West Ham defender kicking and slapping them — and one club sponsor has suspended their partnership after manager David Moyes chose to start the player in a game against Watford on Tuesday.
Sponsors are also growing increasingly concerned as the animal welfare charity continues an investigation into the matter, with one club partner suspending its sponsorship and another evaluating its relationship with them.
Zouma’s boot deal has also been ended by Adidas.
“We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas contracted athlete,” a company statement read.
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RSPCA takes Kurt Zouma's cats into care as 100,000 sign petition demanding legal action09 February, 2022An RSPCA spokesperson said on Wednesday: “The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats.
“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.”
West Ham and the club’s manager Moyes came under fire after Zouma started in a win against Watford on Tuesday evening despite a storm of criticism and condemnation surrounding the player all day.
Moyes justified his decision by saying he had not considered dropping Zouma “because he is one of our better players”.
On Wednesday, West Ham released a further statement revealing that Zouma, 27, who apologised after the footage emerged on social media, had been fined two weeks’ wages, equating to around £250,000.
“West Ham United can confirm that the club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week,” a spokesperson said.
“Kurt and the club are cooperating 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.
“Separate to the RSPCA’s investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined, West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated.
“The player has immediately accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities. West Ham United would like to reiterate our condemnation of Kurt’s actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness.
“However, we believe it is now important to allow the RSPCA to conduct their investigation in a fair and thorough manner and will be making no further comment at this stage.”
But companies associated with the club have been unimpressed by the reaction.
West Ham’s wellness partner, Vitality, suspended its partnership with the club after Zouma started Tuesday night’s game.
A spokesperson said: “We were very distressed by the video we have seen of Kurt Zouma. At Vitality, we condemn animal cruelty and violence of any kind. We are hugely disappointed by the judgement subsequently shown by the club in response to the incident.
“As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham with immediate effect. We will now be further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation.”
Umbro became the latest brand associated with the footballer to publicly condemn Zouma’s actions. “Umbro partners with West Ham United on a club level and does not represent individual players,” a spokesperson said.
“Like West Ham United we condemn the actions of the player concerned and do not condone cruelty towards animals in any form.”
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Another club sponsor, Experience Kissimmee, indicated the organisation was “evaluating” its relationship with the club following the decision to play him on Tuesday night.
“It was disheartening to learn that the player Kurt Zouma was part of the starting line in West Ham United’s game,” a spokesperson for Experience Kissimmee, the official tourism authority for Osceola County in Florida, said.
“As we wait for further information from WHU, we will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club.”
Adidas, Zouma’s kit supplier, said that “no animal should be subject to cruel and unwarranted abuse” and that the sportswear company “are investigating the incident internally”.
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