Kaveh Solhekol says whether West Ham will sack Kurt Zouma over cat video
West Ham are likely to fine Kurt Zouma for the horrifying video of him kicking and hitting a cat, according to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on Wednesday [9 February], Solhekol reported that while the Hammers will deal with Zouma, 27, severely, they are not going to sack the French centre-back.
As shown in a video clip on Sky Sports News’ Twitter account, Solhekol said: “My understanding of the situation is although Kurt Zouma is likely to be dealt with very, very severely, I don’t think this is a sacking offence.
“I don’t think this is going to lead to him losing his job as a West Ham United player. Bear in mind he’s still got three-and-a-half years left on his contract at the club.
“It’s much more likely that he’s going to be fined.
“Those fines, the club is not going to keep that money, I’m being told that money will be donated to animal welfare charities.”
Zouma played for West Ham in their 1-0 win over Watford on Tuesday [8 February] despite apologising for the video clip, which is being looked at by Essex Police.
Sorry state of affairs
West Ham were under the scrutiny of the nation on Tuesday night as Zouma was named in David Moyes’ starting line-up against Watford.
Less than 24 hours after the video of Zouma kicking and hitting a cat emerged online, he was continuing his job as normal.
That shouldn’t have happened and it was easily the biggest mistake that Moyes has made in his time in charge of West Ham.
But it wasn’t just down to Moyes. Why didn’t any of GSB or Daniel Kretisnky step in and say, ‘hold on a minute, it’s one game against one of the weakest teams in the Premier League, don’t play him’.
Issa Diop was sat on the bench so it’s not as though there were no other options to play at centre-back.
It was the wrong thing to do, completely but we’re glad that some punishment is being dished out.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as though Zouma will be willingly giving his own money to animal welfare charities. It looks as though West Ham are fining him and then sending that money to a good cause.
Zouma, other than apologising, hasn’t done anything to atone for what he did.
In other West Ham news, Andy Gray barged in on Richard Keys talking about Zouma ahead of the win over Watford.