Kurt Zouma loses Adidas sponsorship deal over cat abuse and could face police investigation

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As reported by the English media, West Ham United’s French defender Kurt Zouma has lost his sponsorship deal with Adidas after the German boot and kit manufacturer dropped the 27-year-old following the emergence of a video in which the France international was seen violently abusing his pet cats.

“We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas contracted athlete,” a statement from the company explained.

West Ham announced earlier today that Zouma had received the “maximum fine” equivalent to two weeks’ wages, believed to be around £250,000, in response to the video, which shows him hitting and kicking one of the cats, while both cats were later seized by the RSPCA for their protection after the footage emerged.

Zouma’s brother, Yoan, who filmed the incident said: “I deeply regret my involvement in the video that has been widely circulated and unreservedly apologise, not only for my actions but for the upset and distress this will have caused to so many people.”

The sickening video has seen Zouma heavily criticised on social media and by animal rights groups while he could also face a police investigation, according to some reports in England.

A West Ham statement said the London club “unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma… 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.”

The player also apologized for his behaviour, saying: “I want to say how sorry I am to everyone who was upset by the video. I want 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.”

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