Kurt Zouma has pleaded guilty to kicking and slapping a cat after video emerged of the incident in February.

The West Ham defender hid his face as he arrived at Thames Magistrates’ Court to appear alongside his brother Yoan for a first hearing.

The pair are being prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act.

Yoan Zouma, 24, is alleged to have filmed the incident and is accused of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring Kurt Zouma to commit an offence.

Kurt Zouma, 27, is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on 6 February by kicking it in the abdomen and slapping it on the head.

Two cats belonging to Kurt Zouma are still under the care of the the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

West Ham fined their player in relation to the incident and made donations to nine animal welfare charities in the UK and overseas.

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