Maidstone cause controversy with signing of Kurt Zouma’s brother Yoan who filmed cat kick incident

Maidstone cause some controversy with the signing of Kurt Zouma’s brother Yoan who filmed the cat kick incident last year.

The 24 year old defender was highly talked about after a video he recorded of Kurt Zouma chasing, kicking and clapping his bengal cat, filmed at his home by Yoan.

On the 16th of March 2022, the RSPCA started the process of bringing a prosecution against both Kurt and Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act.

On the 24th of May 2022, Yoan Zouma pleaded guilty to one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring his brother to commit an offence.

This came after Kurt Zouma pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

A club statement read at the time: “Dagenham & Redbridge FC note the decision of the RSPCA to charge Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

“Whilst Yoan continues to fully cooperate with the RSPCA, as this matter has now progressed further, Dagenham & Redbridge FC feel it is no longer appropriate for either Yoan or the Club to make any further statement.

“Dagenham & Redbridge FC maintain their position in that the Club continues to condemn all animal cruelty. Since the allegation, and whilst investigations were taking place, Dagenham & Redbridge FC took the decision that Yoan should not play football for the Club.

“Four weeks have now elapsed however since the incident, and the Club feels that any further suspension from the team would be detrimental to both the Club and Yoan. A decision has been made therefore for Yoan to be available to play.

“The Club reserves the right to take further action if deemed necessary after conclusion of the Court proceedings.”

CLUB STATEMENT:

Yoan Zouma has joined the Stones on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge.

The defender signed for the fellow National League side in December 2021 and quickly established himself at the heart of the Daggers’ backline.

Before his arrival at Victoria Road, he made appearances for Barrow and Altrincham, and also gained Football League experience during his time at Bolton Wanderers.

DAG & RED STATEMENT:

Dagenham & Redbridge can confirm that Yoan Zouma has joined Maidstone United on loan for the remainder of the season.

Yoan joined us back in December of 2021 following a short stint at Barrow, where the defender appeared four times for the now League Two Side

The defender has made 11 appearances so far for the Daggers.

Yoan will be able to play for his loan club in any Isuzu FA Trophy fixture.

We wish you the best of luck, Zoums!

✍️ Yoan Zouma has joined the Stones on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge.

The defender signed for the fellow National League side in December 2021 and quickly established himself at the heart of the Daggers’ backline. pic.twitter.com/w82xrqGles

— Maidstone United (@maidstoneunited) January 6, 2023

This is wha social media users said as Maidstone cause controversy with the signing of Kurt Zouma’s brother Yoan who filmed the cat kick incident…

@Mickwillis13mic: Ffs he made a mistake give him a break

@tom_marston: We’ve all made mistakes pal but I’ve never played heads n vols with my cat

@SReed_1: The cameraman of cat kicking 🤝🏻

@Leefisher1971: Great PR this. Hak says he has a huge contact list yet signs someone who pleaded guilty to the filming of animal cruelty wow!!! 😳😳

@LiamBushen23: Is this for stones tv? Heard he’s a great camera man

@JimPars53543240:
Chaps, just to let you know, he really DIDNT ‘establish’ himself anywhere near our back line.
Waste of a man and waste of a player.
Other than that you’ve gor a good’un
Cheers 🤣

@sambunn: This could be the biggest ratio in Stones history

@KingKane_9: I didn’t realise Maidstone were a club that accepted animal abuse.

@properhandful: I guess the cats out the bag now you’ve announced it

@TinglefootWho: So @Dag_RedFC have managed to hand us three Ls in less than two weeks…

@IanHarbord: What on earth are you doing. That’s the only option is it? My club used to have morals. @olivernjash

@SpireiteC: Tbf to him he’s had a worse time of it than his brother who actually kicked the cat

@JagsStones: Also looking at his record he’s played 9 games in a year – GET A GRIP with the recruitment, Hak says I’ve got a contacts list the length of my arm, well you clearly don’t do you?

@theElgrunn: Look after your cats

@rogers01_tony: Catastrophic signing.

@Shevjenko: FFS what a club 🤦🏻‍♂️

@BendubzGaming: Oh for fuck sake, why have we signed an animal abuser

@Jacksouttaideas: It’s a real slap in the face to people who pay their hard earned money to see this scum pull on the shirt, rather struggle all season than allow this to represent us.

@JagsStones: ffs Maidstone – after the cat stuff really????? Are the only national league quality players that we can afford or Hak knows absolute scum.

@ColemannMattyy: Couldn’t give a fuck he kicked a cat but can give a fuck that he’s played 9 games in a year shite shite recruitment yet again… send us down now

@JackShikari12: Couldn’t be happier he’s gone. Purely cause he’s shit

@ollyy_mufc: My expectations were low but fucking hell…

@tomhwilliams23:
From a pure footballing point of view this is a mixed transfer
Played just 102 minutes this season
Was benched when McMahon preferred to use makeshift full backs as CBs
But Maidstone have the 2nd worst defence in the league so needed defensive reinforcements
Mixed bag

@SReed_1: Announce Adam Johnson

@Dazzarogers: Thankfully we’re done with him it seems. A disaster signing for a variety of reasons

@Countdown_70: Not wanted at the club. Send the scumbag back 👎🏼

@KingKane_9: Breaking: Non League club gives second chance to convicted animal abuser.

@Adamo_001: Loan FC back at it again, more players on loan this year than games won and now taking on animal abusers, shambles of a club 😂

@OnceADagger: Again, why did we renew his contract? Waste of money that we could have used elsewhere. Like on a centre back that can get a game ahead of 2 fullbacks in his position

@SieveDagger: Total embarrassment to a so called family club Should never been given another contract

@leewilsonDRFC: Some embarrassing comments here. He made a stupid mistake which he has more than paid for through the public shame received. As a defender, he’s barely kicked a ball for us. One bad moment vs York when undercooked and many have made their minds up. Good luck to him.

@Railwayman1995: Horrible bastard for what he did to that poor cat. Feed him and his brother to the lions.

@lewis_adam_: Playing for a club with a cat on the badge 🤦🏼‍♂️

So Hak shouts on about morals and integrity and then signs this scumbag.

If there wasn’t reason enough already to sack Hak, signing this fella confirms it even more.

Get Hak out of this club now!!https://t.co/kvPYLZuIcw

— Matt Rayment (@Raymondo_316) January 6, 2023

We really have hit rock bottom, it’s disgusting that we have actually signed this fella. pic.twitter.com/7VciTk9Io6

— Matt Rayment (@Raymondo_316) January 6, 2023

The boys gonna have him pic.twitter.com/vwocO0OW0D

— Nay (@NayV99) January 6, 2023

Different crime but you’ve certainly changed your tune bill? I would argue a crime fitting of 150 community service hours comes under inappropriate behaviour, I was impressed at the swiftness of action before but you’ve ruined it here. Horrific PR pic.twitter.com/61Y8nxMR6c

— archie (@JagsStones) January 6, 2023