Kurt Zouma, a French defender, was fined £250,000 by Premier League team West Ham on Wednesday for mistreating his pet cat.
On Monday, a shocking video showing the defender punching, dropping, and kicking his pet around his kitchen floor surfaced, according to Anaedoonline.ng.
The 27-year-old defender apologized, but Essex Police said that the incident was being investigated urgently in cooperation with the RSPCA.
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West Ham announced in a statement to reporters that the player had been penalised two weeks’ pay, which will be given to animal welfare organizations.
“West Ham United can announce that Kurt Zouma has been fined the highest sum available as a result of his conduct in the widely publicized video,” he wrote.
“The athlete accepted the fine right away and requested that it be given to animal protection organizations.”
Following the release of the video, the club criticized their player’s conduct, but backed manager David Moyes’ decision to start him against Watford on Tuesday night.
While the club’s internal inquiry is ongoing, Moyes has stated that Zouma will be available for selection.
In a related development, Adidas has revealed that Zouma has left the business after “internally examining the matter.”
“We have completed our inquiry and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas contracted athlete,” Adidas said in a statement.
“No animal should be subjected to harsh and unjustified torture,” Adidas has previously stated.
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