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LONDON — West Ham United player Kurt Zouma's cats are being cared for by animal charity the RSPCA after a video emerged showing the Frenchman kicking one pet across the floor, and Vitality said it was suspending its sponsorship of the Premier League club over its handling of the incident.
The viral video, filmed by Zouma's brother Yoan and posted on social media, showed the West Ham defender dropping the tabby cat and kicking it across the floor. He is also seen slapping the animal and hurling a shoe at it, before chasing it around his property.
Update on viral footage of cats
We'd like to reassure people that we're investigating and the cats are safe and in our care. We have been dealing with this since before the clip went viral online and we need to follow the proper legal process and not discuss due to UK GDPR laws. pic.twitter.com/LticInSmpn— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) February 9, 2022
"The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats," an RSPCA spokesperson told Reuters. "They've been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues."
West Ham said Zouma had been fined the "maximum amount possible," with British media reporting the fine was two weeks' wages. The 27-year-old has accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
"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," the London club said.
But West Ham's sponsor Vitality said it was suspending its sponsorship of the club with "immediate effect."
— Vitality UK (@Vitality_UK) February 9, 2022
"We are hugely disappointed by the judgement subsequently shown by the club in response to this incident," Vitality said. "As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham United with immediate effect. We will now be further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation."
An online petition to prosecute Zouma and have his animal re-homed had been signed by 165,000 people.
Another West Ham sponsor, Experience Kissimmee, said it was considering its position with the club after Zouma had been selected for Tuesday's win over Watford.
The Florida-based tourist organisation said it was "disheartened" that Zouma played in the Premier League match despite widespread condemnation of his actions.
It was disheartening to learn that the player Kurt Zouma was part of the starting line in West Ham United’s game tonight. As we wait for further information from WHU, we will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club.
— Experience Kissimmee (@Kissimmee) February 8, 2022
In a Twitter message, Experience Kissimmee said: "It was disheartening to learn that the player Kurt Zouma was part of the starting line in West Ham United's game. As we wait for further information from WHU, we will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club."
West Ham manager David Moyes, though disappointed in his player and describing himself as an animal lover, justified the decision to include Zouma.
"My job was to try and win for West Ham, and put out the best team to do that," Moyes said.
Zouma and his brother Yoan both issued apologies on Tuesday.
Essex Police and Zouma's sponsor Adidas said they were investigating the incident.
"No animal should be subject to cruel and unwarranted abuse, and we are investigating the incident internally," sportswear giant Adidas said in a statement.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman in London and Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond and Hugh Lawson)
