England: Football star convicted of animal cruelty

The case caused widespread outrage: a video circulating online shows a professional footballer in England abusing a domestic cat.

The French international subsequently commented on the incident – and has now been sentenced by a court in London.

French international Kurt Zouma has been sentenced by a London court to 180 hours of community service for animal cruelty. The defender for English Premier League club West Ham United had admitted to kicking and hitting his cat.

In February, a video of Zouma’s actions emerged, filmed by his brother Yoan, whose laughter can be heard in the background while he is seen throwing shoes at his domestic cat, slapping it, chasing it around the room and kicking it across the floor. Animal welfare organisation the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) subsequently filed a complaint and took the cats into its care.

We are pleased that a swift verdict has been reached in this terrible case, and we are now focusing on finding these wonderful cats the loving home they deserve. This case sends a clear message that animals should never be treated this way, and that it is despicable to post videos of animals being hurt on social media for likes.

Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer of the RSPCA

Kurt Zouma had already been fined by West Ham, reportedly close to €300,000. A West Ham spokesperson reaffirmed the club’s condemnation of animal abuse and cruelty. «Every single penny of that money will now go to a number of deserving charities, all of which are dedicated to animal welfare«, reads a statement from the football club. Sponsor Adidas also terminated the partnership. Zouma was booed multiple times after the incident, including by Hammers fans. The court's ruling also includes a five-year ban on keeping animals.

The West Ham defender was sentenced to 180 hours of community service after pleading guilty to kicking and slapping a cat.