West Ham condemns Kurt Zouma after being filmed KICKING and slapping his pet cat in a horrific video posted on social media.
The Premier League player faces potential prosecution after phone footage shows him being cruel to the animal, smashing it like a football across his kitchen floor.
Zouma, 27, is also seen slapping his pet’s face, and it’s lead to his club criticising his actions, saying they will “deal with the matter internally”.
Not a cat guy myself but to actually Zidane volley a living creature is a different level of mental illness.
Kurt Zouma you should be utterly ashamed of yourself. Disgrace. pic.twitter.com/J8ZotP8zyR
— Footy Limbs (@FootyLimbs) February 7, 2022
The West Ham defender is seen was lashing out at the pet inside his £2million mansion while his brother captured it on camera instead of doing anything to prevent it.
Zouma drop kicked the cat in mid air across the kitchen floor then chases the animal around his dining room in front of a child as his brother laughs.
The French international is also seen hurling a pair of designer shoes at the poor thing — which frantically tries to find a place to escape the ordeal.
In another clip, he is seen forcefully slapping the cat in the face — and out of the child’s arms.
Zouma issued a grovelling apology for the attack and insisted it was an isolated incident.
He 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.”
The club said: “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.”
It is understood that the £30million former Chelsea player was furious that the Bengal cat — an expensive breed that looks like a small leopard — messed up his house.
A source said: “It seemed that Kurt had got angry at the cat for accidentally smashing some sort of vase and tearing down a light fixture from the kitchen cupboard.
“But what he does next is completely unacceptable. Kurt kicks it, throws shoes at it and then slaps it. The poor cat looked so scared.”
The disturbing footage was filmed by Zouma’s sibling Yoan and uploaded it to Snapchat on Sunday afternoon — a day after the centre-back appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.
The first clip was captioned “sa commence”, which translates into English as “it is starting”. It has a dozen laughing face emojis in other clips.
Disgusted animal welfare charities slammed the Premier League ace — who could now face a criminal probe.
The RSPCA has received at least one complaint about the video, which could give the charity leeway to pursue a prosecution. Know doubt they have been inundating with reports since it’s rise in social media views and news articles.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This is a very upsetting video. It’s never acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal, for punishment or otherwise.”
Dr Maggie Roberts, of charity Cats Protection, said: “Any person seen or suspected of treating an animal badly, whether this is physical violence, neglect or any other form of cruelty should be reported to the RSPCA.
“The police work closely with the RSPCA to investigate cases of animal cruelty. Cats are sentient beings and experience pain and fear. Beating up a cat will only cause it to suffer physically and mentally.
“We noticed that some people viewing the video online thought it was funny. We can assure them that this is not a laughing matter.”
West Ham issued a statement “unreservedly condemning” their player’s actions
Zouma — who won the Premier League twice with Chelsea after joining them in 2014 — has scored one goal in 12 games since moving to the Hammers in the summer.
Twitter users reacted as West Ham condemns Kurt Zouma after being filmed KICKING and slapping a cat in the horrific video…
@DanGra96: Fuck Kurt Zouma. What kind of piece of shit gets his kicks kicking a defenceless animal around?! I hope he’s prosecuted
@Jackkp91: @KurtZouma Kurt Zouma you are an animal abusing c u n t. Fuck off out of our club #WestHam @WestHam sack the c u n t.
@ReeganStevenson: Just seen the video of Kurt Zouma kicking his cat across the kitchen. So disturbing. Why have pets if you are going to mistreat them. #WestHam need to rip his deal up NOW
@BenGmHarris: Kurt Zouma is a disgrace and an animal abuser. I’ve lost all respect for him
@Connormuz02: Ngl i would never want kurt zouma playing for my club ever again if i was a west ham fan. Horrible
@LondonSlammer: Kurt Zouma, not only displaying immense cruelty to defenceless animals he’s encouraging a child to partake in it, this is also child abuse. West Ham should suspend him, RSPCA and child welfare need prosecute, I cannot believe what we’re witnessing lately with professional players
@Chaz0990: Who the fuck laughs while filming as well
@Olle7Ho: There’s going to be no @premierleague footballers left soon. Might dig my boots out from the back of the cupboard.
@ChrisPerez75: I don’t understand why people think its acceptable to be cruel to animals. Surely the @RSPCA_official have to investigate this as a matter of urgency
@Hall87R: Why have a cat or any animal at all if you’re just gonna use the poor thing as a fucking football!? You scumbag, Kurt Zouma. Fuck you
@Laurencereade: Perhaps folks should club together and buy Kurt Zouma another cat. A tiger, and make it a hungry one.
@Daf_Boii: Fuck Kurt Zouma. Animal cruelty is fucking sickening. Hope someone hurts him like he’s hurt that animal. Cunt.
@bobsyshambs: Why get an animal if you’re just going to mistreat it? Kurt Zouma is a wrong ‘un
@wfcgls: Absolute vile bastard.
@Billy_Nomatez: I hope @RSPCA_official and @metpoliceuk are all over this.
@ArtSaSch: French national team and Westham must ban him @UEFA @WestHam
@SaizydNUFC: @RSPCA_official get this sicko @KurtZouma banned for life from having animals, get him arrested for animal cruelty and find that cat a loving home it deserves
@J_Schofield4: Can we have just 1 day without a footballer doing shit like this
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