Broken contracts and a fine of $ 340 thousand: a famous football player kicked his cat, and now he has a lot of trouble

Football club West Ham United fined its defender Kurt Zouma the maximum possible amount of 250 thousand pounds ($ 340 thousand), and the British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took two cats from him. What happened, said the publication with the BBC.

Photo: Shutterstock

It all started with a home video of Zuma kicking his Bengal cat, then chasing him and giving him a slap in the face while the animal is being held by a child. Judging by the off-screen laughter, what was happening seemed funny to those present. British media report that this is how the football player reacted to the vase broken by the cat.

Footage of animal abuse caused a general angry reaction. About 200 thousand people signed an online petition demanding that the football player be held accountable in accordance with the law (for animal abuse in Britain, there are serious fines and imprisonment for up to 5 years).

In response, apologies immediately poured in - first from Zuma himself, and then from the West Ham United coach, who nominated him for the Premier League match.

Team head coach David Moyes had to reassure the public of his love for animals and make excuses that West Ham United desperately needed to win the match.

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However, the scandal continued to flare up, celebrities and sponsors of the club spoke out in defense of the cats. During the match, fans of both teams booed the footballer, and popular TV presenter and former England striker Gary Lineker said he was shocked that Zuma was allowed to play, and called this decision insensitive.

Essex County Police said they launched an urgent investigation, but soon refused to open a case.

Meanwhile, the British Royal Society for the Protection of Animals from Cruelty (RSPCA) confiscated both cats. The RSPCA said that Zuma's cats were examined by veterinarians, nothing threatens their health.

Vitality was also very upset by the video, and disappointed by the actions of the club's management, so she announced that she was immediately suspending the sponsorship of the club and would now wait to see what further steps the management would take.

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Another club sponsor, Experience Kissimmee, after Zuma was released on the field, also promised to reconsider their sponsorship with the club.

And Adidas just terminated the contract with the player.

The West Ham United Supporters Association condemns Zuma's actions and believes that the football player should have been suspended from matches for the duration of the disciplinary proceedings.

“The player immediately agreed to pay the fine, which will go to animal charities,” the club said in a statement. “West Ham United would like to reiterate that we condemn Kurt’s behavior and that this matter is being taken very seriously.”

Kurt Zouma is an official ambassador for Seed, a French charity dedicated to the protection of lions and other large wild felines.

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