A West Ham United sponsor has put out a statement after the club decided to start Kurt Zouma in a Premier League game the day after the defender was filmed kicking a cat.
The Frenchman has since released an apology for his actions in the video, which saw him state: “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.”
It then emerged that Zouma will face an internal disciplinary hearing at West Ham after he was filmed kicking his cat, whilst Essex Police have confirmed that they are liaising with the RSPCA regarding the video:
“We are aware of a video circulating on social media relating to an incident involving a cat which members of our communities may find distressing. We are liaising with the RSPCA and urgent enquiries are ongoing.”
Whatever punishment befalls Zouma, though, seems unlikely to be harsh given that West Ham started him in their game with Watford on Tuesday.
And now, it appears one of their sponsors, Experience Kissimmee, were not too happy with Zouma starting.
In a statement put out via Twitter on Tuesday evening, they wrote: “It was disheartening to learn that the player Kurt Zouma was part of the starting line in West Ham United’s game tonight.
“As we wait for further information from WHU, we will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club.”
It was disheartening to learn that the player Kurt Zouma was part of the starting line in West Ham United’s game tonight. As we wait for further information from WHU, we will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club.
— Experience Kissimmee (@Kissimmee) February 8, 2022
David Moyes speaks out
After the game vs Watford, David Moyes came out to defend his decision to pick Zouma, stating that he had to pick a football team that gave him the best chance of winning the game as manager of West Ham: “It’s something we’re all disappointed with and something we can’t understand.
“He’ll learn from it [but] today I had to pick a football team that gave me the best chance of winning the game as manager of West Ham.
“I know how people feel, but I’m also a football manager here.
“My feeling was that Kurt has apologised and I understand a lot of people will not just be accepting of an apology. But to me he came out and [apologised] honestly and I had to do my job.”
An embarrassing comment from a man who claims to be an animal lover.
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