Charity slam Michail Antonio’s defence of West Ham teammate Kurt Zouma
The Kurt Zouma saga continues as Kick It Out have fired back at comments made by West Ham striker Michail Antonio.
The 31-year-old came to his teammates’ defence with increased calls for the French international to be prosecuted.
Antonio highlighted players facing less severe punishment for racism cases in an attempt to gain perspective and calm the situation down.
Kick It Out CEO, Tony Burnett was quick to dismiss the Jamaica international’s comments.
“[Kurt] Zouma’s behaviour was clearly unacceptable and I’m sure the RSPCA will thoroughly investigate and update the public in due course,” Burnett told iNews.
“We have seen some people draw comparisons between animal cruelty and discriminatory abuse.
“Both are wrong and it is not helpful – victims are not in competition with each other. With any incident of abuse, there should be a fair process and those actions should have consequences.
“But consequences should not mean complete cancellation. For some people, no punishment is ever enough and comparing incidents will always divide opinion.”
Right Intention
Understandably Antonio is defending his teammate and whilst what he is saying has elements of truth, he could have certainly exercised his point in a more thought out way.
The striker along with many others in the West Ham camp will feel that calling for the Frenchman to be prosecuted or even have his contract ripped up at the club is a little far.
Especially with what others may deem far worse offences being let off very lightly with the issue seemingly swept under the carpet.
The club must take some responsibility for the backlash with their failure to act appropriately.
There was absolutely no need for him to start against Watford on the day the shocking video went viral and with the defender now likely to start in the Irons next match against Leicester the backlash has increased.
Having to pay two weeks wages is absolutely ridiculous and the club need to follow in Dagenham & Redbridge’s footsteps and not select the player until the RSPCA’s investigation is complete – only then will the club be seen to be properly combatting the incident which might calm the backlash.
In other Hammers news, West Ham star Declan Rice hailed future England captain.