LONDON (AFP) — More than 110,000 people have signed an
online petition calling for
West Ham defender Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted as
part of a growing backlash over his abuse of his pet cat.
اضافة اعلان
The
France international has been widely
condemned after a video emerged of him dropping, kicking and slapping the
animal.
Police have confirmed they are liaising with
animal welfare charity the RSPCA as part of “urgent inquiries” into the case.
West Ham said they “unreservedly condemn” the
actions of Zouma, who apologized for his actions but was selected by manager
David Moyes for Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Watford at the London Stadium.
A petition on Change.org reads: “In the
UK we
have laws against the abuse of animals, laws which should be applicable to
everyone rich or poor, famous or not.”
“We ask that the Metropolitan Police and
RSPCA carry out an urgent investigation and prosecute the perpetrators of this
heinous act.”
West Ham sponsor Experience Kissimmee — the
club’s “official destination partner” — has said it “will be evaluating our
relationship and sponsorship with the club” in light of the video.
Moyes, who insisted he was an “animal lover”,
was criticized for playing Zouma on Tuesday but was adamant he had to do what
was right for his club.
The defender got a taste of the growing
public anger as he was relentlessly booed by Watford supporters, with even West
Ham fans joining in some of the jeering.
London
Mayor Sadiq Khan told Sky News that
Zouma should be prosecuted, saying he should have been dropped from the team.
Conservationist Chris Packham branded Moyes’
decision to select Zouma an “absolute disgrace”, telling the BBC that a crime
had been committed.
“I think it was a disgraceful decision,” he
said. “I think if the footballer had released on social media a film of him
taking drugs or beating his wife or his girlfriend or his children, there was
no way he would have been on the pitch.”
The RSPCA condemned the “very upsetting”
video after it surfaced online and will be leading the investigation and
cooperating with Essex Police.
“We cannot comment further at this time, but
we’re grateful to everyone who has brought this to our attention,” said a
statement from the charity.
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