West Ham defender Kurt Zouma facing five year French prison sentence, after animal rights complaint made
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma could face multiple years in prison in France under new animal protection laws for hitting his cat, report The Daily Mail.
A video has this week emerged of the French international kicking and slapping his cat, leading to wide-spread condemnation from inside and outside football.
Despite this, David Moyes picked the 27-year-old to start in the 1-0 win against Watford last night, where he was booed throughout.
La Fondation 30 Millions a’Amis, France’s largest animal rights group, has made a complaint to prosecutors across the English Channel.
Tough animal protection legislation was introduced last year which Radio France Internationale reported at the time would “raise the maximum penalty for mistreating animals to up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000”.
In a statement on their website, the animal rights group said: “The 30 Million Friends Foundation condemns this heinous act, asks that the player be suspended from the France team, and files a complaint against him.
“According to article 113-6 of the Penal Code, ‘criminal law is applicable to offenses committed by French people outside the territory of the Republic if the acts are punishable by the legislation of the country where they were committed’.”
Fall out continues
Despite keeping him in the team for last night’s Premier League game, the Hammers have now fined the summer signing the maximum of two weeks wages, which a statement on their website said will go to animal welfare charities.
That appears to just be the start of the repercussions for the player after his undeniably unacceptable behaviour, as the RSPCA have said his two cats are in their care (BBC).
The video footage appears to have led to the incident catching on in all corners of society.
Zouma himself has apologised, telling Sky News: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.”
There undoubtedly has to be consequences for his actions, not least to send the message to young fans that such treatment of animals cannot be condoned.
What is surprising is quite how much reaction there has been to this incident, when compared to the racial, domestic or sexual abuse that comes up on a depressingly regular schedule.
Perhaps the visual evidence in this case has made a difference, but when multiple forms of abusive behaviour need work to be eradicated, the strong message here should be replicated elsewhere.
From a club point of view, the decision to play Zouma against Watford reportedly left them feeling “vindicated” after the victory (talkSPORT), but if prison time arises in France they will be far unhappier with the situation.
In other West Ham news, one club sponsor has suspended its involvement with the club over the incident.