West Ham defender Kurt Zouma has lost his sponsorship deal with sportswear giants Adidas for kicking his two pet cats.
Zouma has been fined the maximum two-weeks wages allowed by West Ham and has had his two pet cats taken into care by the Animal charity the RSPCA and has now lost his deal with Adidas.
“We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas contracted athlete,” a statement from Adidas reads.
The video of Zouma kicking and slapping one of his cats was released on social media on Monday night and has caused outcry both within and outside of the footballing world.
More than 150,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Zouma to be prosecuted, while one of West Ham’s sponsors, Vitality, has suspended its deal with the club.
Mayor of London. Sadiq Khan has called for Zouma to face criminal prosecution whilst David Moyes’ decision to start the defender on Tuesday night has been fiercely criticised.
West Ham have categorically condemned Zouma for his action and fined him £250,000, a sum that will be donated to animal welfare charities but Moyes decides to continue playing the Frenchman has caused an uproar.
Zouma’s selection against Watford has led to club sponsor Vitality suspending their deal with West Ham whilst Experience Kissimmee and Yield App have both released statements that they are evaluating their relationship with the club as a result of the decision.
The RSPCA and Essex Police have joined forces to proceed with an ‘urgent enquiry into the matter and the charity have taken both of Zouma’s cats into their care.