Chris Kirkland causes a stir on Wednesday morning with his ‘worse than racism’ remark over the Kurt Zouma abusing a cat video.
The former goalkeeper questioned why he has not yet been banned by the Football Association, then appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the controversial incident, which saw Zouma kick and slap his pet.
Footage of the shocking incident was shared initially by the player’s brother on Snapchat, however it then went viral on every other social media site.
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
Zouma was heavily criticised for his actions, however the football world were left stunned after hearing that he would started for West Ham against Watford on Tuesday night.
Despite the negativity, Zouma helped his side keep a clean sheet against Watford in a 1-0 win at home, though he was booed with every touch he made.
Speaking on Wednesday morning, former Premier League and England goalkeeper Kirkland said that Zouma “deserves everything” he will get, before saying the incident is worse than racism, or biting an opponent on the pitch.
He said: “Everywhere he goes he’s going to be targeted, and rightfully so, because he deserves everything he’s going to get.
“I’m a big advocate of mental health so I need to be careful what I say, because it’s bound to test Zouma, but he’s brought it all on himself with this sickening video.
“I’m still in disbelief that West Ham played him last season, but the FA for me… If it was a racism case, the FA would have stepped in and banned him for six or 10 games. Biting – six or 10 games. What’s the difference? This is worse if anything. It’s against a defenseless animal.
“Why the FA have not stepped in to ban him for this is beyond disbelief.”
Speaking on Wednesday morning, former Premier League and England goalkeeper Kirkland said that Zouma “deserves everything” he will get, before saying the incident is worse than racism, or biting an opponent on the pitch.
He said: “Everywhere he goes he’s going to be targeted, and rightfully so, because he deserves everything he’s going to get.
“I’m a big advocate of mental health so I need to be careful what I say, because it’s bound to test Zouma, but he’s brought it all on himself with this sickening video.
“I’m still in disbelief that West Ham played him last season, but the FA for me… If it was a racism case, the FA would have stepped in and banned him for six or 10 games. Biting – six or 10 games. What’s the difference? This is worse if anything. It’s against a defenseless animal.
“Why the FA have not stepped in to ban him for this is beyond disbelief.”
“He should be sacked”
Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland tells #BBCBreakfast he’s ‘amazed’ that West Ham allowed Kurt Zouma to play last night.
More: https://t.co/ylaxLUWCxj pic.twitter.com/igNTimGsbS
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) February 9, 2022
Hopefully this clears the @KurtZouma @WestHam situation up with my comments,absolutely nothing was meant by my comments pic.twitter.com/sK66HLrMNy
— Chris Kirkland (@ChrisKirkland43) February 9, 2022
Twitter users reacted as Chris Kirkland causes a stir with his ‘worse than racism’ remark over the Kurt Zouma video…
@T_Knowss: Wtf did he just say??? The fact no one even flinched shows u just how deep routed racism is in this county
@NorseSon: Chris Kirkland taking pelters because he’s got the balls to say kicking and slapping a defenceless animal is worse than words. Doesn’t he know it’s 2022 and words are way worse?!
@alexjlongman: That Chris Kirkland interview clip is astonishing. What is he doing
@theluma: He’s absolutely right. Would you rather get racially abused or someone kicked your pet? He even explains himself – animal is completely defenseless and unable to understand what is going on.
@JamilHus1: Not surprised by Chris Kirkland’s comments. It’s why last year this country prioritised dogs ahead of people in Afghanistan. Racism is so bad in the UK that we’re behind animals (things people in this country eat) in the pecking order.
@westhamtransfer: Chris Kirkland saying Zouma incident is worse than all the racism footballers get. This world is completely fucked.
@owilli_: I’m happy Chris Kirkland said it with his chest. Everyone has been dancing around this for time. At least its out there properly now lol. Can’t deny it now.
@niccivanlux: Fox hunting is literally some of the most gruesome and barbaric acts of animals cruelty, no word from Chris Kirkland. Horse racing is literally men and women whipping horses to make them run faster for the sole purpose of betting, again no word from @ChrisKirkland43…
Chris Kirkland
“This is worse”pic.twitter.com/vYsljsN2dh
— #TouchlineFracas (@touchlinefracas) February 9, 2022
@_WestHamReport: As a white man to everyone who is from a black, Asian or any other ethnic background. I’m sorry. This take is completely and utterly ridiculous.
@sirjackwindsor: Kurt #Zouma dropkicks a cat, Chris Kirkland calls it out and gets worse abuse for comparing it to racism. Call me any racial slur you want, and I still wouldn’t dropkick a f**king cat!!! Perhaps multiculturalism isn’t for us if animal abuse is overlooked so easily?
@RobLambert8: Chris Kirkland said it best. If Zouma had hit a woman or another man in the street he wouldn’t have been picked. Why is it different just because it’s an animal? Shameful decision to “just win a football match I’ll put the best team out” even though a player has committed a crime
@cfcharvey_: Chris Kirkland just said that the zouma incident is worse then racism. How can he think that, obviously what zouma did is horrible but the issues of racism that still occur are way worse.
@BigFmJimmy: This Chris Kirkland thing really is an example of the old adage about twitter of people misinterpreting your words to mean what they want you to mean. But he’s right, there’s not been a peep from the FA about Zouma. It’s barbaric the little value people put on animals welfare
@DavidasWilko: In defence of Chris Kirkland, whilst I personally wouldn’t directly compare crimes/abuse, abusing an animal, especially your pet, is the lowest of the low. They are total innocents who can’t defend themselves and give you their love unconditionally.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login