West Ham's Kurt Zouma 'deeply sorry' for kicking cat; netizens remain furious
By Team Newsable | First Published Feb 8, 2022, 12:23 PM ISTWest Ham defender Kurt Zouma has said he is "deeply sorry" after disturbing footage showed him kicking his cat across his kitchen floor.
Defender Kurt Zouma has issued an apology after West Ham condemned a shocking video of him kicking his cat across the kitchen floor. Clips, obtained by The Sun, show the 27-year-old Frenchman slapping his pet's face and another hurling a pair of shoes as the cat tries to escape. Zouma's brother, Yoan, filmed the disturbing footage posted on Snapchat on Sunday afternoon, a day after West Ham's FA Cup fourth-round win at Kidderminster.
Following the incident, the defender apologised for the attack and insisted the incident was an isolated one. "I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret," Zouma told The Sun.
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"I want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy," he added.
"They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again," the defender concluded.
A video obtained by The Sun allegedly shows footballer Kurt Zouma kicking and hitting his cat.
It’s absolutely disgusting and disturbing footage. I hope he is prosecuted for animal cruelty. pic.twitter.com/3K7xMeHh5j
Meanwhile, West Ham has released a statement condemning the defender's actions and vowed to 'deal with the matter internally'.
"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," the statement read.
Animal welfare charity the RSPCA too condemned the West Ham defender's actions and emphasised the importance of reporting suspected animal suffering. Calling the video 'very upsetting', an RSPCA spokesperson said that it is never acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal for punishment or otherwise.
"We are so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering to us, and we would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare," the RSPCS spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked a massive rage online, with netizens slamming actions from Zouma, who is expected to be a role model for aspiring footballers.
I'm struggling to put into words how I feel about this distressing footage. Truly disgusting actions from Kurt Zouma who is meant to be a role model. No helpless animal should ever be subject to abuse like this. I would like to know how plan to punish these actions? https://t.co/ZOPyqFVIxL
— Drew McIntyre (@DMcIntyreWWE)This video will obviously go viral due to Kurt Zouma being a Premier League footballer but for everyone back home if you see or suspect any animal abuse please check out RSPCA website to report any cruelty or to donate to the cause.https://t.co/rQslGybfz3 https://t.co/REKwuZu1Wh
— Big Damo (@DamoMackle)Kurt Zouma is a vile individual!!!!Absolutely horrendous! Makes me so angry 🤬🤬🤬
— Megan Campbell (@megcam10)Really sad and disappointed by that Kurt Zouma vid. Just defies belief: primarily, why on earth you'd do that to the poor cat; and secondly, why the hell you'd film it and put it on social media as something to be proud of.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene)🐈 Footballers being nice to cats because that Kurt Zouma video is disgusting. pic.twitter.com/CpcfdNrNpj
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman)Absolutely disgusting, sickening & disturbing behaviour from Kurt Zouma.
No apology will excuse what he’s done, hope he’s punished properly for such awful animal cruelty.
Like most Chelsea fans I really liked him & his character. Not now, lost all respect. 👎 pic.twitter.com/MdAP84c673
As a cat owner, Kurt Zouma’s abuse of his pet has made me feel physically sick tonight.
How could someone treat their animal like this for sport and cheap laughs?
He must never own a cat again. pic.twitter.com/tV905qI6pR
On behalf of all Kurts go fuck yourself
— Kurt (@Kurt0411Fifa)Appalling, sickening, disturbing behaviour. To not only carry out but film such cruelty is just a whole new level of twisted. Should be banned, simple as.
https://t.co/D4u11tYsCF
I’m not a animal lover but what Kurt Zouma did to that cat was disgusting. 2022 people really showing their true colours
— The People’s Champ 🇯🇲🏴🇵🇰 (@TroopzAFC)Disturbing news that ex Chelsea player Kurt Zouma has been filmed kicking and hitting his pet cat. He faces potential prosecution over this horrifying act of animal abuse.
— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh)Just seen the Kurt Zouma video. We’ve got a cat, a cockatiel and a dog in our family and the thought of being cruel and causing them pain or suffering turns my stomach. Who volleys a cat across a kitchen?! Hope he’s prosecuted for it, as he should be.
— Andrew Dickson (@mrandrewdickson)Absolutely horrified by that Kurt Zouma video. What the fucking fuck, man. Jesus wept.
— Roker Report (@RokerReport)Whelp. Another football player added to list of 'absolute scum and deserve to rot in jail' thanks to Kurt Zouma. Vile human beging - animal abuse makes me so angry. 😡
— MGH (@MGH)Kurt Zouma’s limp apology for kicking and slapping his cat should not be accepted… that video is vile, no other word for it. He has let himself and his club down badly 😡🤬
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer)The Kurt Zouma video is repulsive. Don't watch it. He drop-kicks a cat across his kitchen and later slaps it. The RSPCA, West Ham & maybe the Met are dealing with it.
‘There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret,' he says.
Urgh.
Disgusting behaviour from Kurt Zouma and a pretty feeble attempt at an apology. Animal cruelty is completely unacceptable and I hope the club and authorities deal with him accordingly.
— Toby Cudworth (@Toby_Cudworth)Kurt Zouma rose through the ranks at Saint Etienne before joining Chelsea in a 12 million pound deal in January 2014. During his seven-and-a-half-year stint at Stamford Bridge, the defender had loan spells at Stoke City and Everton. After making 150 appearances for the Blues, the Frenchman joined West Ham in a 29.0 million-pound permanent deal last summer with a four-year contract at the London Stadium.
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