West Ham fine Kurt Zouma 2 weeks' wages following cat attack
By Sean Walsh
West Ham United have confirmed that Kurt Zouma has been fined two weeks' wages and that they are supporting the RSPCA with their investigation into a video showing Kurt Zouma abusing a cat.
The club stated that the fine - believed to be worth around £250k will be donated to animal welfare charities.
Footage came to light on Monday of the France defender kicking his pet, though controversially started West Ham's Premier League match against Watford on Tuesday.
After Zouma's cats were seized by the RSPCA on Wednesday, West Ham confirmed in a statement that they are supporting the charity with their inquiries.
"We can confirm that the Club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week," the statement read. "Kurt and the Club are co-operating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family’s two cats to the RSPCA for assessment.
"Kurt is extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the Club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken.
"Separate to the RSPCA’s investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined, West Ham can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated. The player has immediately accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
"West Ham would like to reiterate our condemnation of Kurt’s actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness.
"However, we believe it is now important to allow the RSPCA to conduct their investigation in a fair and thorough manner, and will be making no further comment at this stage."