Kurt Zouma loses Adidas deal and sponsor leaves West Ham over abuse of cat

Vitality have suspended their partnership with West Ham after David Moyes selected Kurt Zouma, who was lost his Adidas boot deal after being filmed abusing a cat

Kurt Zouma has lost his Adidas boot deal and an insurance company have suspended their partnership with West Ham after the defender abused a cat.

Videos surfaced on social media on Monday night which showed the defender kicking and slapping his pet cat, with the Frenchman’s two cats taken away from him by the RSCPA on Wednesday.

Adidas said in a statement: “We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an adidas contracted athlete.

Vitality, West Ham’s official wellness partner, have condemned Zouma’s actions and the club’s decision to play him against Watford on Tuesday evening.

Many were outraged to see the Frenchman start the Premier League game, less than 24 hours after a horrific video of the abuse was brought to the public’s attention.

“Shocked and appalled that West Ham played Zouma last night,” tweeted Match of the Day host Gary Lineker. “A tone deaf decision.”

A significant aspect of Vitality’s brand is their love for animals. Alfie, an eight-year-old dachshund, stars as “Stanley” in the company’s adverts.

“We were very distressed by the video we have seen of Kurt Zouma,” read a statement. “At Vitality, we condemn animal cruelty and violence of any kind.

“We are hugely disappointed by the judgement subsequently shown by the club in response to this incident. We are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham with immediate effect.”

West Ham have fined the player two weeks’ wages – around £250,000 – and will donate the proceeds to animal welfare charities.

The club have stopped short, however, of suspending or sacking the Frenchman.

“West Ham United can confirm that the club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week,” read a club statement on Tuesday.

“Kurt and the club are co-operating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family’s two cats to the RSPCA for assessment.

“Kurt is extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken.

“Separate to the RSPCA’s investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined, West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated.

“The player has immediately accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.

“West Ham United would like to reiterate our condemnation of Kurt’s actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness.

“However, we believe it is now important to allow the RSPCA to conduct their investigation in a fair and thorough manner, and will be making no further comment at this stage.”

The RSPCA have confirmed the two cats abused by Zouma are now in their care.

“The two cats are now in RSPCA care,” said a RSPCA spokesperson. “Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats.

“They’ve been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues. We’re grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats.

“We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation. We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time.”