*West Ham Sponsors Suspend Lucrative Deal Over Kurt Zouma Cat Attack Video

Animal charity the RSPCA has taken West Ham defender Kurt Zouma’s pet cats away after videos emerged on social media of him kicking and slapping one of them.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is liaising with Essex Police about the incident.

“The two cats are now in RSPCA care,” said a charity spokesperson.

The Premier League club say they have fined Zouma “the maximum amount possible” and the fee will be donated to animal welfare charities.

Also vitality have suspended their sponsorship of West Ham, amid a growing backlash from club backers including Umbro following video clips emerging of Kurt Zouma kicking and slapping his cat.

A statement from the insurance and investment company, revealed by the BBC’s Simon Stone, read: “We were very distressed by the video we have seen of Kurt Zouma.

“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.

“As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham United with immediate effect.

“We will now be further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation.”

Another of the Hammers’ partners Kissimmee are also ‘evaluating’ their relationship with the club.

A statement posted on social media Tuesday night read: “It was disheartening to learn that the player Kurt Zouma was part of the starting line in West Ham United’s game tonight.

“As we wait for further information from WHU, we will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club.”

In addition, German sportswear firm Adidas has ended its deal with the 27-year-old.

“We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas-contracted athlete,” said the company.

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.

West Ham said Zouma “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”.

The RSPCA spokesperson added: “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.”

The Hammers said the fine, which Zouma immediately accepted, was “separate to the RSPCA’s investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined”.

They added: “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.

Also West Ham United has fined Kurt Zouma the “maximum amount possible” after a video of him abusing his pet cat emerged.

The French defender, who played against Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday night, has been widely condemned after a video emerged of him dropping, kicking and slapping his pet cat.

West Ham and manager David Moyes came under fire after Zouma played on Tuesday evening but have opted to fine the player two weeks’ wages, understood to be in the region of £250,000, with the money set to go to animal welfare charities.

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