Kurt Zouma has been offered ‘animal lessons’ by the RSPCA after his cat cruelty video went viral on Sunday – although David Moyes has stated he will continue to play the Frenchman despite reports of a French national team ‘expulsion’.
Zouma, 27, came under intense criticism on Sunday evening after a video of him abusing a cat in his £2million London mansion circulated.
The video shows Zouma dropkicking the cat across his house and throwing designer shoes at the terrified animal before the ex-Chelsea defender took the cat off a child and slapped it in the face.
Zouma showed his remorse and regret over the video, which horrified fans across the world.
Further shock was brought to attention on Tuesday evening when West Ham boss Moyes selected the French international to play in their Premier League win over Watford, despite calls to banish him from the first-team squad completely.
However, the Scot has backed his decision, and states he will ‘stand by’ his actions despite French national team calls to ‘expel’ the defender, although he has accepted the decision for the RSCPA to give him ‘lessons’ after the ordeal.
“Yes, he is available against Leicester and I stand by the decision to play him,” Moyes said on Friday afternoon.
“It’s different views on whether he should be available or not. We as a club took the decision that we made him available, and I stand by that.
“I don’t think the club could take more action or any quicker. West Ham have fined him the maximum wages, we all accept the actions are terrible and diabolical.
“He is very disappointed and incredibly remorseful and sometimes in life you need forgiveness and he is hoping for that. Many of us throughout lives make mistakes.
“Like drink driving offences, most people have to go to classes, and the RSPCA are going to provide him with classes. We will do everything we can to make sure Kurt is looking into it and getting better and understanding it.”
Moyes’ words come after France manager Didier Deschamps made it clear the behaviour was unacceptable.
Zouma has made 11 appearances for the national team and was in the most recent squad back in November for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Finland.
However, Deschamps has hinted at a possible ‘expulsion’ for Zouma following the incident, claiming it has happened before that players have been dropped for making mistakes.
“I was very surprised on Kurt’s part. It’s unacceptable, intolerable, cruelty without name,” he said in an interview with France 3.
“These images are shocking and intolerable. I’m not a prosecutor, I’m here to make selections based on other criteria.
“It has happened that when players have made mistakes I leave them out for a while. I won’t change my way of progressing for the next [squad] list.”
West Ham take on Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Sunday in a bid to keep their place in the Champions League qualification spots with just 14 games to go.
The Hammers currently sit fourth in the table after their 1-0 win over Watford in midweek.
And Zouma could play a part in their success if the Hammers come away from the Midlands with all three points.
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