David Moyes ignores calls to sack Kurt Zouma over cat-kicking as West Ham boss defends selection

West Ham United have been urged to take the strongest action possible and sack Kurt Zouma after drop-kicking his pet cat – but the defender was immediately handed a start by David Moyes, who has explained his decision.

The defender finds himself in the wake of an unwanted storm after the video surfaced online. The RSPCA has condemned the “very upsetting” video of the Frenchman kicking and slapping his cat. They are also reaffirming their commitment to investigate any complaints about animal welfare.

West Ham also released a statement condemning the actions of their player and vowing to deal with the matter internally.

In the video, Zouma is seen kicking and slapping the cat, while laughter can be heard in the background. The 27-year-old France international then chases the animal before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head.

“This is a very upsetting video. It’s never acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal, for punishment or otherwise,”a spokesperson for the RSPCA said.

“We are so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering to us. And we would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare.”

After the clip emerged, West Ham criticised Zouma’s actions.

“West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated,” the club said in a statement.

“We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally. But we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals.”

Moyes explains Kurt Zouma selection

Zouma, who joined the Hammers from Chelsea in August 2021, has also released a statement, apologising for his actions.

However, Zouma was immediately handed a start in the Hammers defence in Tuesday night’s game against Watford at the London Stadium.

Ahead of the game, Hammers boss David Moyes was asked: “Did the video of Kurt Zouma on social media this week influence your decision to start him?”

Moyes, though, was steadfast in his answer, saying: “No, because he is one of our better players. But it is certainly ongoing and the club are dealing with it, so that is a separate matter.”

However, plenty remain angry at Zouma and there are many who feel the apology does not go far enough.

One of those is former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

He wants the Hammers to sack Zouma over his actions, claiming his Premier League career might be over.

“I just can’t believe what I watched, I really can’t, it’s disgusting,’ Kirkland told talkSPORT.

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“He might not be bothered at all, you do things like that obviously you’re a despicable human being.

“I wouldn’t [work with him] if I was in that dressing room, no. If I was in that dressing room, if I was captain I’d get him out of that dressing room. I wouldn’t want to play with him again, definitely not.

Defender ‘finished in England’ – Kirkland

“This is just about what’s right in humanity, even if you’re not an animal lover, seeing that absolutely sickened me.

“I don’t think there’s any way back for him. West Ham have been backed into a corner, it’s not their fault, it’s not their fault at all, but they’ve got to handle it now and the only way for me is that he’s got to be sacked.”

Asked if he believes it is the end of Zouma’s career in England, Kirkland added: “I believe so, yes.

“It is an extremely tough one, I’m an advocate of mental health but I think if you’re putting stuff on [social media] like that then you don’t care. You’re doing it to show off, they were laughing, he’s got a kid there, if they’ve put it on once then it’s obviously happened again, you see the cat run off scared to death.

“If that was in the street what would happen? He’d get arrested and he’d be put behind bars.

“No club can sign him now because of the backlash it’s going to get. The fans will turn on the club, nobody can sign him, and he’s only got himself to blame.”

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