Kurt Zouma: RSPCA awaiting investigation outcome before offering course

Moyes has stood by Zouma
Moyes has stood by Zouma / Bryn Lennon/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit

The RSCPA are yet to agree welfare courses with West Ham for defender Kurt Zouma as their investigation into his conduct continues.

The Frenchman was filmed kicking and slapping his cat last week, with both pets subsequently taken into care pending a full enquiry.

West Ham manager David Moyes has rejected calls to drop Zouma from his squad because of the incident and compared the Frenchman's actions to a drink-driving case, which usually leads to road safety classes about the dangers of such behaviour.

"Like people who maybe have drink-driving offences, most of them have to go to classes to learn the reasons and the damage that can be done," Moyes said. "I think RSPCA are going to provide us some courses for Kurt to understand about animals and how to treat them."

However, the RSPCA have responded with a statement stating no such courses have yet been proposed, although it's believed to be the club's intention to do so once their own investigation into Zouma has been completed.

"There have been no plans made for animal welfare courses to be undertaken," an RSPCA statement read. "Our focus remains entirely on our experienced officers carrying out a full and thorough investigation."

The RSPCA also confirmed that they are yet to be offered any donation by West Ham, although the Hammers have stressed that they are currently exploring which charities would benefit most from Zouma's fine, which is believed to be around £250,000.

Zouma's brother Yoan, who filmed the incident, has been suspended by his club Dagenham & Redbridge until the conclusion of the RSPCA investigation, but Moyes has refused to take the same stance at West Ham.

"There are different views whether he should be available. We decided he should. I stand by that," Moyes said. "I don't think a club could have taken action any quicker than they've done at the moment. West Ham have done a really good job.

"I'm not condoning him, his actions were terrible. They were diabolical but we've chosen to play him and we stand by that.

"He's incredibly remorseful. Like everybody else, in life sometimes you need a bit of forgiveness. He's hoping he is forgiven for a bad action. We will get him some help. We are trying to do as much as we can as a club, as a team, to help him."