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Published
Feb 10, 2022
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Adidas cuts links with footballer Kurt Zouma over animal cruelty

By
Reuters
Published
Feb 10, 2022

Kurt Zouma has been dropped by Adidas, while sponsors have re-considered their deals with Premier League club West Ham United and the Frenchman's pets were taken into care by animal charity the RSPCA as the ramifications of a video showing him abusing a cat intensified this week.


Reuters



The viral video, filmed by Zouma's brother Yoan and posted on social media, showed the West Ham defender dropping the tabby cat and kicking it across the floor.

He is also seen slapping the animal and hurling a shoe at it, before chasing it around his property.

"The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats," an RSPCA spokesperson told Reuters. 

West Ham said former Chelsea defender Zouma had been fined the "maximum amount possible", with British media reporting the fine was two weeks' wages. The 27-year-old has accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.

The London club said: “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.”

Zouma, who along with his brother apologised for his actions, was dropped by sportswear giant Adidas on Wednesday.

"We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas contracted athlete," the company said in a statement.

The move comes just days after Manchester United and England footballer Mason Greenwood was dropped by sportswear giant Nike following his arrest on suspicion of rape, assault and threats of violence.

It highlights the risks to brands of signing up sports stars and how the behaviour of those stars is heavily scrutinised by the brands to make sure their reputations aren’t damaged by their links.

Additional reporting by Sandra Halliday

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