Chris Kirkland wades into West Ham Kurt Zouma issue on BBC, causes more problems
Chris Kirkland has attempted to clarify his stance on West Ham and Kurt Zouma, after he caused more controversy by seeming to dismiss racism on BBC TV.
The ex-England goalkeeper appeared on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday (February 9) to react to David Moyes’ decision to start the defender against Watford, after video emerged from The Sun of him kicking and slapping his cat.
40-year-old Kirkland said: “Everywhere he goes he’s going to be targeted, and rightly so because he deserves everything he’s going to get. I’m a big advocate for mental health, and obviously need to be careful what I say because it’s bound to test Kurt Zouma, but he’s brought it all on himself.
“I’m still in disbelief that West Ham played him [on Tuesday] night, I think that was a disgrace, but again… if it was a racism case the FA have stepped in and banned players for six, ten games. Biting – six, ten games. This is worse if anything.”
Presenter Dan Walker also attracted criticism for not challenging the comments.
Kirkland later posted a video on his personal Twitter account saying: “I know a lot of people seem to be offended. Listen, I totally understand… I know it’s said that I said it’s possibly worse [than racism] but what I meant was animals can’t defend themselves, they’ve not got a voice.
“Obviously us humans have but listen, racism goes without saying. It’s an absolute disgrace”.
Caused his own problems
It’s not a good look for the former Liverpool, Wigan and Sheffield Wednesday player.
Nobody can condone the French international Zouma abusing animals for a joke, although Moyes not even taking him out of the starting line up the day after the videos came out goes quite close to doing so.
But in falling over himself to portray just how much he denounces the animal abuse Kirkland has caused more upset.
The original comments, and to an extent the follow up video, give an impression of being against racism because that is what you are supposed to do, while being against hitting cats because he actually cares about that.
Obviously you should be against both, and if you can only muster the fervor for one then going on live TV to bring up both will open you up to criticism.
The fact is that victims of racism are often defenseless as well so even the Colne coach’s explanation overlooks the reality of the situation.
Zouma is rightfully facing consequences as he has been fined by the Hammers and the cats have been taken by the RSPCA, while British and French authorities are now investigating.
By piling on and causing further upset Kirkland’s entry into the controversy has only really made things worse.
In other West Ham news, the defender is reportedly facing “up to five years in prison” in France for the cat abuse.