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Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell slammed by RSPCA as ‘tiger tug of war’ video emerges

Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell has been slammed by the RSPCA as a ‘tiger tug of war’ video emerges during the international break.

The Premier League defender has faced criticism from the animal welfare charity having been seen tussling with a caged tiger and since got plenty of people talking.

Chilwell, who was believed to be on a trip to Tampa, Florida, in the footage obtained by The Sun, plays a game of tug of war with the tiger.

The injured player is seen with at least three friends as they pull a rope while the tiger battles to pull them towards the cage.

Chilwell has a grin adorned across his face in Instagram footage as his group get pulled towards the cage. It;s said to have been filmed at Busch Gardens in Florida with the full-back on taking a break.

The clip caught the attention of animal protection society RSPCA, criticising the footage while Chelsea declined to comment on concerns that Chilwell may have further injured his knee.

The RSPCA said: “We don’t feel this activity promotes respect for these wild animals and should not be marketed for public entertainment. Zoos often state that their aim is to educate the public and have a positive influence on visitor behaviour in ways that will directly benefit conservation.

“Whilst we understand zoos which do this may feel that a ‘tug-of-war’ provides physical enrichment for big cats, there are many alternative ways of doing this.”

Chilwell got back in training with Chelsea for the first time following surgery in November however he’s not expected to return to playing any time soon, even if he has been in a photoshoot posing for fashion brand Prada recently.

Chelseea boss Thomas Tuchel has said on Chilwell’s injury: “I said it many times. I think the biggest struggle for us in this season in this moment is the injuries of key players and long-term injuries of key players and Reecey [James] is one of the key players, and also Ben Chilwell.”

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A post shared by Chilly (@benchilwell)

There was no suggestion in the video that the tiger was being physically harmed by playing tug of war, nor that he was being mistreated, so this has left some fans questioning what Chilwell actually did wrong and why this is even an issue.

However, with the clip coming just weeks after West Ham’s Kurt Zouma was reprimanded after being filmed abusing his cat in disturbing footage which showed him kicking and throwing the animal whilst laughing.

The RSPCA stepped in to remove both of Zouma’s cats away and are pressing charges against the defender, with the Hammers also fining the ex-Chelsea player for his actions as well, but he continues to play in matches. It has since been revealed that West Ham donated the money that Zouma was fined of to nine different animal charities.

As Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell gets slammed by the RSPCA as the ‘tiger tug of war’ video emerges, fans gave their reaction…

@MatsRmufc: it’s not that deep…

@Matt_N22: Don’t see how it’s any different to why zouma did

@joelmceniry: Being charged? 😂😂 I play tug of war with my dog everyday

@YeezySegsual: Challenge the zoo not the player 😭

@josh_bfc: I play this with my dog nearly every day. Literally nothing wrong with this whatsoever

@LumpOfCFC: There’s literally nothin wrong? Chilwell is clearly checking on the tigers well being by checking its jaw muscles and teeth strength. Tigers will be tigers.

@Krys024: That Tiger is having the time of its life. Chilweel is clearly playing with him were has happened to this world

@weyinmi_: Are they meant to challenge chillwell, a visitor of the zoo or the Zoo itself, for allowing their visitors play like that

@JackRising3: Honestly just ridiculous now, literally everyone does this with their dog 😭

@eftrblivn: People are too soft these days

@thefreekite: As someone sensitive about animal rights this seems fine to me. The tiger doesn’t look to be in pain and there’s a safe barrier in between.

@18jc2__: There is literally nothing wrong, upsetting or serious about this

@therealmufc2: It’s not sensible but it’s also not a big deal

@Wolvoryan04: He’s playing with the animal not harming it

@1221Dtr: Not like he kicked it! 😂

@georgebazz1: Hmmmm, very soon they’ll say play catch with your dog is disrespectful to the dog, lol, na too much food dey cause this nonsense, y’all don’t have enough problems to deal with so you invent problems where there’s none

@Jamie_Sense: Dont get this one.

@LiamEyre25: Oh my god 🤣 leave it out fml

@td_tju: They taking the piss man I used to drag me dog round playing tug of war and he loved it grow up

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