West Ham condemned for selecting Kurt Zouma after cat kicking video as thousands sign petition

More than 150,000 people have signed a petition calling for Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted for kicking his cat – as West Ham’s decision to play him in their Premier League match last night has been branded “disgraceful”.

Essex Police and the RSPCA are carrying out “urgent enquiries” after footage showed the 27-year-old Frenchman dropping, kicking and slapping his pet cat.

It has led to a petition on Change.org, started by Anti Animal Abuse, which demands the prosecution of “the perpetrators of this heinous act” and urging the RSPCA to “remove all animals from Zouma’s ‘care’ immediately”.

Despite fierce criticism of Zouma’s actions, West Ham manager David Moyes still named the defender in the club’s starting 11 for Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Watford.

Zouma was booed by Watford fans during the match.

Experience Kissimmee, West Ham’s official destination partner, has said it “will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club” after Zouma was selected.

‘Disappointed in David Moyes and West Ham’

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan told Sky News he was “disappointed” in Moyes – while a leading pet charity said the decision to play Zouma “normalises his abhorrent behaviour”.

Speaking to Kay Burley, Mr Khan said: “It’s despicable. I think a number of things need to happen urgently. I think the RSPCA and the police need to work together to prosecute this player.

“I’m disappointed in David Moyes and West Ham. I know how important three points are, but I think they should have shown leadership and dropped him last night.”

‘It normalises his abhorrent behaviour’

Becky Thwaites, head of public affairs at national pet charity Blue Cross, said: “We were very disappointed to see West Ham make the decision to play Kurt Zouma last night.

“In our view it normalises his abhorrent behaviour and delivers the message it’s acceptable to treat a family pet that way.

“It gives the impression to young football fans watching last night that it doesn’t matter what he did to his cat, all that is important is football.

“We work with children all over the country to help them be safe around pets and learn to show them love and respect. Anyone in a position of influence, like Zouma, should be doing the same.

“We reiterate our full support for prosecution for cases like this, and for all animal cruelty.”

‘Moyes showed no regard for people’s opinion’

Conservationist Chris Packham has also condemned Moyes’ decision to select Zouma.

Mr Packham told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I think it was a disgraceful decision. I think if the footballer had released on social media a film of him taking drugs or beating his wife or his girlfriend or his children, there was no way he would have been on the pitch.

“And this is not just about football. These footballers now are role models to millions of people, so in a way they set public standards, and what David Moyes showed last night is that he had no regard for people’s opinion of public standards when it came to animal welfare.”

Matter will be dealt with ‘internally’

West Ham said they would be “dealing with the matter internally”, adding: “We would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals.”

After the match Moyes said: “My job is to pick the best team and Kurt was part of that.”

Ironically, the footballer proudly promotes on Instagram that he is an ambassador for the French charity Seed, which has raised money for an animal shelter for big cats.

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