Kurt Zouma opens up on a ‘difficult’ 12 months after cat-kicking scandal

West Ham defender Kurt Zouma has spoken for the first time since his cat abuse controversy, apologising for his mistake and saying he wants to move on from that sorry saga in his life.

It was in February when Zouma hit headlines after a video showing him kicking and slapping his pet went viral. West Ham condemned his actions at the time and fined him two weeks’ wages worth £250,000.

Speaking on Friday, Zouma said: ‘It’s been a difficult spell for me and my family. I have done something very bad and I apologise again for what I’ve done. 

‘I know it was very tough for people to watch and to see that and obviously I feel very, very sorry.

‘I have great remorse about it and now I’m trying to move on with my family and looking ahead. I learned from it. 

‘I had support from many, many people around me who helped me stay focused on football and I try to stay happy.’

Zouma was talking to the West Ham website ahead of facing Crystal Palace on Sunday and added: ‘The support that I received from my team-mates, from the staff, and everyone at the club, and even from the fans, has been unreal. I can’t thank them enough. This club is like my family.’

West Ham centre back Kurt Zouma (left) has reflected on a ‘difficult’ year away from the pitch after he pleaded guilty in court to two counts after footage showed him kicking a cat (right)

Zouma was mocked by away fans after footage emerged in February of him kicking a cat

The 27-year-old Frenchman pleaded guilty to two counts under the Animal Welfare Act when he appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London back in May.

Footage emerged in February of Zouma – and his brother Yoan – abusing a cat in his kitchen which eventually led to the pair being prosecuted by the RSPCA.

Zouma, who was fined two weeks’ wages worth £250,000 by West Ham, apologised after the footage was shared by his younger brother Yoan, 24, who admitted one offence during the hearing. 

West Ham pledged the fine would be handed to a number of animal charities, including Cats Protection, Celia Hammond Animal Trust, Hopefield Animal Sanctuary, National Animal Welfare Trust, People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals and Pussycat Lodge Trust. 

Zouma appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London in May and pleaded guilty to two counts under the Animal Welfare Act

Zouma was routinely mocked in the aftermath by opposition fans with inflatable cats a popular addition for away fans heading to West Ham’s London Stadium.

Sportsmail also exclusively revealed in May that Essex police were investigating a flurry of abusive private messages sent to Zouma in which he is repeatedly called the ’N-word’ and targeted with chilling death threats. 

In the messages seen by Sportsmail, Zouma and his family are threatened with sexual assault. Zouma is repeatedly called a monkey and the ’N-word’.

Zouma is also told he will be shot and stabbed. The central defender is also told that he will be left disabled, while another threatens to cut off various limbs.

Hammers boss David Moyes initially faced backlash after he continued to play Zouma following the scandal but the Irons boss defended his decision and insisted the Frenchman was ‘remorseful’. 

 Zouma (middle) reiterated his ‘remorse’ and he is now looking to draw a line under it in 2023

‘We all make mistakes in life,’ Moyes said ahead of their trip to Leicester in February. ‘I am not condoning his actions. We all accepted they were diabolical. But we’ve chosen to play him and I stand by that. 

‘He is really remorseful and disappointed in his actions. There will be reactions at football grounds, which he will have to expect and rightly so. He played the other night and I thought the West Ham supporters gave him a good reception.  

‘I understand how people feel. I really do. But now we’re asking for a bit of forgiveness from everybody. We all make mistakes.’ 

Zouma is now looking to draw a line under the incident and move forward in 2023.