Kurt Zouma called out by former UFC champion after cat kicking video

Kurt Zouma was filmed abusing a cat and has been criticised by many on Twitter, with former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz telling the West Ham defender to “try and kick me”

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has called out West defender Kurt Zouma after a horrific video of him abusing a cat was posted on social media.

The defender, 27, was filmed kicking the defenceless animal with force. He also slapped the cat’s face and hurled a pair of shoes at the pet while it tried to escape.

Essex Police are currently investigating the incident, which has caused upset among football supporters and been slammed by many within the game.

Blachowicz was also outraged with Zouma’s actions, sending him a message on Twitter.

“If you are so tough mother****er, Kurt Zouma, try to kick me,” wrote Blachowicz. “What a piece of shit. No tolerance for animal cruelty.”

West Ham are currently dealing with the matter internally, although they selected Zouma for their Premier League match against Watford at the London Stadium on Tuesday.

“West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated,” read a statement from the Hammers on Monday.

“We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals.”

Zouma added: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.

“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.

“They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”

A spokesperson from the RSPCA said: “This is a very upsetting video. It’s never acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal, for punishment or otherwise.”

Those within the game to criticise Zouma include Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who branded the West Ham star a “coward” on Twitter.

Presenter Laura Woods said: “For me, you got caught. It’s not even that you just got caught, it is someone filmed you surreptitiously.

“Your mate or your brother, or whoever, has filmed you and you are performing to the camera, thinking it is okay to act like that and treat a cat like that or any living creature, in front of your kid.

“I don’t know how it’s going to dealt with now. For him to be doing that and to be filmed, he’s probably done it before.”

Ex-Scotland international Ally McCoist added: “It was sickening, it was pathetic, it was bullying of the extreme. It again tarnished the image of professional footballers.

“It was embarrassing and shocking and horrible at the same time. It was all of those things.

“To commit and do the things he did is the most horrendous of crimes, however to film it and put it out. If you are talking about gross stupidity, I don’t know what level you are talking about there.”