LONDON, Feb 10 / US: Kurt Zuma has been shot down by Adidas, sponsors have reconsidered their deals with Premier League club West Ham United, and the Frenchman’s pets have been taken into the care of the animal charity RSPCA as a result of the fallout from a video showing him. The cat abuse intensified.
The viral video, filmed by Zuma’s brother Yuan, and posted on social media showed the West Ham defender dropping the tabby cat and kicking it to the ground.
He was also seen slapping the animal and tossing it with a shoe before chasing it around its property.
“The two cats are now in the care of the RSPCA. Our priority has been and always will be the welfare of these cats,” an RSPCA spokesperson told Reuters. “They have been taken to a vet for examination and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues.”
West Ham said former Chelsea defender Zuma had been fined “the maximum amount possible”, and British media reported that the fine was two weeks’ wages. The 27-year-old has agreed to the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
“West Ham United can confirm that the club supports the RSPCA’s investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulating online this week,” the London club said.
“Kurt is deeply sorry and, like everyone else at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need to take action.”
Despite the outrage caused by the video, Zuma was selected for a 1-0 win over Watford on Tuesday – a result that lifted her to fourth in the table, Reuters reported.
This decision was justified by manager David Moyes after the match. While Moyes said he was an “animal lover” and was disappointed with Zuma’s behaviour, Moyes said: “My job was to try to win with West Ham, and get the best team out to do that.”
But insurance and investment company Vitality, one of the club’s sponsors, was not affected, and said it had suspended its partnership with the club “with immediate effect”.
“We are very disappointed with the ruling that the club subsequently issued in response to this incident,” Vitality said.
“As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham United with immediate effect. We will now work further with the club to understand what actions they will take to address the situation.”
Sportswear giant Adidas was downgraded by Zuma on Wednesday, who along with his brother apologized for his actions.
“We have concluded our investigation and can confirm that Kurt Zouma is no longer an adidas contract athlete,” the company said in a statement.
Another West Ham sponsor, Experience Kissimmee, said he is considering his position with the club.
The Florida-based tourism organization said it was “disappointed” that Zuma played in the Premier League match.
Zuma was booed from the London stadium on Tuesday and former England captain and BBC now Gary Lineker said the decision to play with him was “tone deaf”.
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet denounced what he called an “unjustified, stupid and painful act of violence” and said he hoped Zuma could learn a lesson from the situation.
In another development, 165,000 people signed an online petition to sue Zuma.
Essex Police said they are investigating the incident.
West Ham Supporters Association (WHUST) said it “condemns the actions” of Zuma, with chairman Sue Watson saying the club should have taken a “moral stance” to ban him.