David Moyes has revealed West Ham defender Kurt Zouma is available to play for this weekend despite continued criticism after he was filmed kicking his cat.
The French defender’s two cats were seized this week after a video emerged of him kicking and slapping one of them – and Zouma could face sanctions from the RSPCA.
Moyes and West Ham were criticised for playing the defender against Watford on Tuesday night but the Scottish manager has defended that decision – and has revealed the 27-year-old is available to face Leicester City on the weekend.
Moyes told a press conference on Friday: ‘The answer to that is yes he’s available to play against Leicester.
‘It’s different views, different opinions over whether he should be available or not. We as a club took the decision to say he should be available and we stand by that.
David Moyes (left) has confirmed that Kurt Zouma will play against Leicester on the weekend
West Ham were criticised for playing Zouma against Watford on Tuesday after a video emerged of him kicking his cat, which were seized from him
Zouma, has been widely condemned after a video emerged of him allegedly hitting the animal
‘I don’t think the club could have taken more action, any quicker, than what they’ve done. West Ham have done a really good job in fining him maximum wages. We all accepted they (his actions) were diabolical. But we’ve chosen to play him and we stand by that.’
Moyes also gave his reaction to several West Ham sponsors withdrawing their support to the club in the wake of Tuesday night’s call to play Zouma, who the Scot says is ‘really, really disappointed’ in himself but is a ‘really good lad’.
‘The situation with it is terrible,’ Moyes added. ‘The incident we’re talking about is terrible. There is nobody in this football club who doesn’t agree with that.
‘But sponsorship, if that’s getting taken away, that’s something the club will deal with, not me.
‘We’re so disappointed. It’s completely out of character from Kurt. We’ve never seen this. He’s a really good lad. We’re going to get him some help – he is getting help.
Moyes described the defender’s actions as ‘diabolical’ but says Zouma is a ‘really good lad’
‘People who maybe have taken driving offences, most have to go to classes to learn the reasons and the damage. The RSPCA are going to provide us with some courses for Kurt about animals and how to treat them.
‘We’ll do everything we can to ensure Kurt is looking at it, understanding it and getting better. He’s really, really disappointed. Incredibly remorseful.
‘Like everybody else, sometimes in life you need forgiveness and he hopes he’s forgiven for a bad action. He’s treated the exact same way as any other player.’
In the bullish press conference on Friday, Moyes insisted there was nobody more disappointed in Zouma’s actions than the Hammers boss, but claimed the incident can help bring the club together, despite it dividing the fanbase.
‘We are completely upset by it as well,’ he said. ‘We’re really disappointed. I’m someone who is a great, great lover of animals. If you’re talking about West Ham supporters being disappointed, there’s no one more disappointed than me.
Moyes (right) says Zouma is ‘incredibly remorseful’ and is seeking help from the RSPCA
‘We all make mistakes, whoever we are. Kurt has apologised, the club have done everything they can possibly.
‘Out of a really bad situation we’re trying to get something positive. We hope the animal charities will benefit greatly from it. It’s a terrible situation. We admit that. Nobody is hiding that.
‘I understand the criticism because I understand how severe the video was and what he did was terrible. It’s the sort of thing that pulls you together. Along the road there are plenty of bumps. We’ve hit a big bump and we need to try to get over it.’
Zouma’s cats were seized this week as sponsors ditched West Ham following outrage over his sickening attack and the defender could be charged by the RSPCA within days, according to reports.
Moyes insists there is nobody more disappointed in the West Ham community than him
A source told The Sun: ‘The RSPCA has been working at an incredible pace — even before video of Zouma’s cat abuse went viral. There is big pressure for them to be taking decisive action after police handed them the lead on the investigation.
‘If they deem it severe enough, Zouma could be charged as quickly as next week. There’s a lot of public anger over what happened, and quite rightly, but the investigation needs to be done to the book.’
The 27-year-old has also been fined £250,000 — two weeks’ wages — by the club’s bosses in a dramatic U-turn after their decision to play him on Tuesday evening. But West Ham have refused to suspend Zouma, despite the anger towards the French international.
However, as Sportsmail exclusively revealed this week, the Hammers face difficult questions from their players about the club’s strict pay structure after Zouma’s salary was revealed to be £125,000 a week – which is significantly higher than the rest of the squad.
If he is prosecuted and convicted, Zouma could be banned from owning animals and even jailed, although the latter option is unlikely.
The RSPCA said yesterday: ‘Two cats are in our care and have been seen by a vet and are being well looked after. They will remain in our care while the investigation continues.’
The defender had uploaded footage to Snapchat showing him drop-kicking his Bengal cat and slapping it out of his son’s arms just 48 hours before the game — where he was booed by his own fans.
West Ham were roundly condemned for starting him against Watford but reversed their position later this week after key sponsors sought to distance themselves from the club and player.
It also emerged Zouma could be jailed for up to four years in his native France under beefed-up animal welfare laws introduced last year.
More than 280,000 people have now signed an online petition on Change.org, started by Anti Animal Abuse, calling for Zouma to be prosecuted amid a growing public backlash.
Brigitte Bardot called for Zouma to be dropped from the French national team and has contacted the country’s prosecutors demanding they take action.
Zouma is being investigated by the RSPCA after his two cats were taken into their care
The actress’ Paris-based charity, the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, has filed a legal complaint via French lawyers in a Paris court where Zouma could face up to four years in jail, MailOnline has learned.
However, West Ham forward Michail Antonio questioned whether Zouma’s mistreatment of his cat is ‘worse than racism’.
When asked about the incident during an interview with Sky Sports News, Hammers frontman Antonio said while he did not condone Zouma’s actions, he felt there was a wider debate to be considered.
‘I’ve got a question for you. Do you think what he’s done is worse than racism?’ Antonio said.
‘I’m not condoning a thing that he’s done, I don’t agree with what he has done at all. But there’s people that have been convicted and been caught for racism, and have played football afterwards.
‘They got an eight-game punishment or something like that, but people are now calling for people to be sacked, for them to lose their livelihood.
‘I’ve just got to ask this question to everyone out there: ‘is what he’s (Zouma) done worse than what the people have done that (were) convicted of racism?”
A club statement read: ‘West Ham United can confirm that the club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week.
‘Kurt and the club are cooperating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family’s two cats to the RSPCA for assessment.
‘Kurt is extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken.
‘Separate to the RSPCA’s investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined, West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated.
‘The player has immediately accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
‘West Ham United would like to reiterate our condemnation of Kurt’s actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness.
‘However, we believe it is now important to allow the RSPCA to conduct their investigation in a fair and thorough manner, and will be making no further comment at this stage.’
In a grovelling statement, the 27-year-old (above) said he was ‘deeply sorry’ over the incident
The RSPCA said it had been dealing with the issue before the video went viral and would continue its investigations.
‘The two cats are now in RSPCA care,’ an RSPCA spokesperson said. ‘Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats.
‘They’ve been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues. We’re grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation. We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time.’
National pet charity Blue Cross described the incident as ‘truly horrifying’ and called for Zouma to face prosecution.
On Wednesday afternoon, Adidas — the defender’s official personal kit supplier — confirmed ties had been cut with Zouma.
Vitality confirmed it was suspending sponsorship as West Ham’s official wellness partner and would be ‘further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation’.
After the video emerged and Zouma played against Watford, West Ham’s official destination partner Experience Kissimmee said it would evaluate its relationship with the club.
In France, animal rights group the 30 Million Friends Foundation condemned the ‘heinous act’ and called for Zouma to be suspended from the national team.
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