THOUSANDS are demanding footballer Kurt Zouma is prosecuted and loses his pets after a disturbing video showed him kicking and slapping his cat. Police Have launched an investigation into Snapchat video of Kurt Zouma kicking his cat after more than 30,000 sign petition demanding he is prosecuted, while £29m star is picked to play Watford TONIGHT despite dressing down from his West Ham bosses
Zouma, who has apologised, was named in the starting line-up for
Essex Police are liaising with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and say "urgent enquiries are ongoing".
The club have said they will deal with the incident internally.
West Ham boss David Moyes said of the decision to start Zouma in Tuesday's home game: "He is one of our better players. But it is ongoing and the club are dealing with it, so that is a separate matter."
In a statement, Zouma, 27, said: "I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.
"I also 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.
"They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again."
Further footage, first published and reportedly filmed by Zouma's brother Yoan, shows the player throwing shoes at the pet and chasing it around a room.
"West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video that has circulated," said the club, who signed the defender in the summer from Chelsea for £29.8m.
"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."
Yoan Zouma plays for Dagenham & Redbridge and the National League side said it "has had discussions with Yoan and we will now take some time to consider our response".
The club added: "In the meantime, we would like to make it completely clear that we in no way condone any form of cruelty towards animals and take this matter very seriously."
Yoan Zouma said: "I deeply regret my involvement in the video that has been widely circulated and unreservedly apologise, not only for my actions, but for the upset and distress this will have caused to so many people.
"I am now taking time to reflect on what I have done but wish to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident and not something that I am proud of."
An Essex Police spokesperson said: "We are aware of a video circulating on social media relating to an incident involving a cat which members of our communities may find distressing.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH THIS PETITION
Kurt Zouma fury as thousands demand footballer is prosecuted after sick cat video THOUSANDS are demanding footballer Kurt Zouma is prosecuted and loses his pets after a disturbing video showed him kicking and slapping his cat. One Change.org petition demanding the 27-year-old is prosecuted by the Met Police has hit 40,000 signatures. Another Change.org petition to the Met and the RSPCA calling for the France international to be prosecuted and have his animals rehomed has reached 33,000 names. In the video, Zouma is seen dropping the cat before kicking it across the room, as well as slapping the terrified animal around the face. Laughter can be heard in the background as he chases the Bengal and throws a pair of shoes at it.
Premier League, Round 24
West Ham United v Watford FC
How Did The Game Go?
Jarrod Bowen scored the only goal as West Ham United moved back into the top four with a 1-0 win over Watford.
Bowen struck his seventh league goal of the season in the 68th minute when his 20-yard shot took a wicked deflection off Hornets defender Samir to leave goalkeeper Ben Foster stranded.
Foster then denied Bowen a late second when he touched his shot on to the post.
The hosts had the better chances before the goal with Tomas Soucek heading just over from a corner before Said Benrahma was denied by Foster and then hit the rebound against the post.
Juraj Kucka missed an early chance for Watford, who stepped things up in their efforts to rescue a point.
Tom Cleverley had a curling effort saved by Lukasz Fabianski but Watford could not find an equaliser.
The Hammers are a point ahead of Manchester United on 40, while Watford, whose winless Premier League run now stands at 10 matches, drop a place to 19th on 15 points.
See: West Ham report | Watford report
Next fixtures
West Ham: 13 Feb v Leicester (A) Watford: 12 Feb v Brighton (H)
Match officials
Referee: Martin Atkinson. Assistants: Lee Betts, Richard West. Fourth official: Simon Hooper. VAR: Paul Tierney. Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring.
My personal opinion:
Kurt Zouma should never have been in the line-up today, his involvement overshadowed the game and I did not enjoy the match as a result of this. The Evidence damning and pretty conclusive so why has he not been prosecuted and at the least suspended
I Would like to see Kurt Zouma Sacked eventually, but suspended for now.
His involvement was a terrible example of how animal cruelty is not as important as human and cruelty and how unequal are pet and soul mates are treat. It was a real statement to all those organisations involved in preventing harm to animals and to us pet lovers with cats and dogs alowing Kurt Zouma to carry on playing .
Would Kurt Zouma have been Playing if he done this to a child or another human? No of cause not so why is it he can do this to a defenceless cat and get away with it and receive nothing more than a few boos and a lagging investigation?
I am a West Ham fan and this has really left a bad taste and has made me quite angry and bitter towards the club and Kurt Zouma.
Personally I don't think I can watch anymore games with his inclusion and I am struggling to see the rational thinking behind allowing Kurt Zouma to participate in tonight's game.
David Moyes, West Ham And Other officials let everyone down today and I can only hope this is rectified by their next game.
Please comment and share this and do our bit to make sure Kurt Zouma never plays professional football again. #KURTOUT
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