Who filmed West Ham defender Kurt Zouma kicking his pet cat in a video which has shocked the nation?
Well the answer is his brother, Yoan Zouma, who spent last season with Barrow in League Two before being released.
Kurt Zouma was controversially selected by West Ham boss David Moyes for last night’s Premier League game with Watford after footage of the incident was widely seen on social media.
Yoan Zouma has since apologised for filming the actions of his brother who is shown kicking and slapping his pet cat amidst laughter from the pair.
The 23-year-old, a defender like his elder brother, only played four League Two games for Barrow last season with three other games in cup competitions.
He had joined from Bolton Wanders where he had played 17 times in two years and also spent time last season on loan with Altrincham.
After being released by Barrow, the Frenchman joined Dagenham and Redbridge in the National League but has only played half a dozen times for them so far.
The scenes have been widely condemned, while Dagenham and Redbridge – Yoan Zouma’s current club – said the player had filmed the footage.
Dagenham and Redbridge have issued a statement saying: “The club condemns the actions of our player Yoan Zouma in filming the video that has circulated of his brother, and his reactions to the events shown.
“Since first becoming aware of the incident this morning the club has had discussions with Yoan and we will now take some time to consider our response, which we will of course make public in due course.
“However, in the meantime, we would like to make it completely clear that we in no way condone any form of cruelty towards animals and take this matter very seriously.”
The player also issued an apology via social media in which he said: “I deeply regret my involvement in the video that has been widely circulated and unreservedly apologise, not only for my actions but for the upset and distress this will have caused to so many people.
“I am now taking time to reflect on what I have done but wish to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident and not something that I am proud of.”
Kurt Zouma, 27, who has also played for Chelsea, Stoke and Everton has “sincerely” apologised” for his actions, concluding: “I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.”
His club West Ham have said they “unreservedly” condemn the actions and will be dealing with the matter internally.
Moyes selected Zouma last night but the defender was subject to boos before the game and whenever he was involved.
When asked if the incident influenced his decision whether to play him he responded: “No, because he is one of our better players. But it is ongoing and the club are dealing with it, so that is a separate matter.”
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