West Ham defender Kurt Zouma’s court appearance set for week after Europa League final
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma is due to appear in court for kicking his cat a week after the Europa League, the Daily Mail has reported.
The centre-back caused outrage in February when footage emerged of him kicking and slapping his pet cat, with the fallout from that and David Moyes’ decision not to drop him for the next game becoming a major story.
The 27-year-old subsequently apologised and was fined two weeks wages by the club, which were donated to animal welfare charities.
The RSPCA took the cats away and signalled their intention last month to prosecute the French former Chelsea player under the Animal Welfare Act.
His appearance at Barking Magistrates Court has now been set for 24 May.
Zouma is currently out injured, and there are fears that he may miss the rest of the season (Guardian), which could include an historic appearance in the European final.
Distraction
The club knew this was coming at some point but would probably have hoped that it would be well past the end of the season.
The Hammers face RB Leipzig in the semi-finals of the Europa League, after producing a magnificent display to see off Lyon.
And with La Liga giants Barcelona shocked by Eintracht Frankfurt the competition is now wide open.
Moyes and his side have a real chance of lifting the trophy, and qualifying for next season’s Champions League, considering their impressive form in the competition.
Should they reach the final, they would prefer there to be no distractions as they prepare for what would be their biggest game in recent memory.
Whether Zouma is able to come back from his current ankle injury could have a major bearing on it, as if he is out of the team he could be kept out of the limelight.
It had to come some time and unfortunately for Irons fans it has the potential to disrupt the end of the season.
In other West Ham news, the owners are trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by messing fans around at a crucial time.
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