Kurt Zouma’s World Cup spot is in danger following widespread condemnation of the defender for kicking and hitting his pet cat.
The disturbing video went viral this week and prompted an inquiry by the RSPCA, which took custody of his two cats.
West Ham fined him a reported £250,000 but retained his services for this week’s Premier League match against Watford.
Catch up on the Zouma saga here!
Zouma apologized following the video’s release, and more than 280,000 people have signed a petition seeking his prosecution.
Didier Deschamps is the latest figure to speak out against the event, implying that it may have an effect on his selection for the France national team.
“I was very surprised on Kurt’s part,” said Deschamps in an interview with France 3.
“It’s unacceptable, intolerable, cruelty without name.
“These images are shocking and intolerable.”
On the potential implications for Zouma’s selection, France boss Deschamps said: “I’m not a prosecutor, I’m here to make selections based on other criteria.
“It has happened that when players have made mistakes I leave them out for a while. I won’t change my way of progressing for the next list.”
Zouma has made 11 appearances for his country since his 2015 debut.
