West Ham slam Kurt Zouma after defender seen hitting a cat in sick clip as club say matter will be dealt with internally

WEST Ham bosses have slammed Kurt Zouma after the defender was seen kicking a cat like a football in a shock clip posted on Snapchat.

The club says the matter will be dealt with internally after the French International slapped and booted the Bengal moggy at his mansion.

But the Premier League ace could still face a criminal prosecution if the RSPCA deems the clip contains illegal behaviour.

The Met Police say they won't be investigating, although the charity has its own powers to prosecute if it sees fit.

Zouma is likely to be dropped for West Ham’s clash against Watford tonight as the club disciplines the player.

It is thought the Hammers star man could be at least fined wages for the shamed clips, which fans have complained puts their season in jeopardy.

The club said: "West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated.

"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."

Ironically, the 27-year-old is an ambassador for a charity which protects abused big cats.

But in the video, which was posted by his own brother, he's seen volleying his poor cat across his kitchen.

It comes as:

• Horrifying footage emerges showing the defender slapping his Bengal cat out of a child's arms
• Zouma apologises and says both his cats are "perfectly fine and healthy"
• Thousands of furious Brits urge the RSPCA to prosecute the player
• The player serves as an ambassador for big cat charity Seed - despite his sick attack
• GMB host Susanna Reid says she finds the footage "sickening"

He then chases it with a pair of designer shoes across his dining room and slaps it across the face - and out of a child's arms.

The poor creature scurries off in terror after the attack.

Zouma, 27, last night apologised after the emergence of the sick clips.

The video was filmed at his £2million house on Sunday afternoon - a day after he appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.

“I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret," he said.

“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like 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.”

'DEEPLY SORRY'

It is understood the £30million former Chelsea player was furious that the Bengal — an expensive breed of domesticated cat that looks like a small leopard — messed up his house.

A source said: “It seemed that Kurt had got angry at the cat for accidentally smashing some sort of vase and tearing down a light fixture from the kitchen cupboard.

“But what he does next is completely unacceptable. Kurt kicks it, throws shoes at it and then slaps it. The poor cat looked so scared.”

Thousands of people have contacted the RSPCA urging the charity to prosecute.

The issue has also been discussed on breakfast television.

Susanna Reid told Good Morning Britain viewers: "There is something sickening about the defensive abuse of a helpless animal.

"Why would you do that? What on earth possesses you to mistreat an animal like that? And then thinking it's a good laugh."

Her co-star Richard Madeley replied: "Power and control.

"I think there needs to be a prosecution."