Kurt Zouma PULLS OUT of West Ham game against Leicester City today after cat abuse shame
KURT Zouma PULLED OUT of playing for West Ham tonight amid mounting fury over his cat kicking shame.
The club earlier said the centre back, 27, would be in the starting lineup as the Hammers took on Leicester City.
But he was forced to pull out before the 4.30pm kick off, after reportedly feeling "unwell" with a stomach bug.
Zouma was seen chatting to the West Ham physio during the warm up before he walked down the tunnel at the Leicester's King Power stadium.
The club then announced he would be replaced by sub Issa Diop.
Manager David Moyes said after the teams drew 2-2: "He was ill before the game, wanted to play, we wanted him to play as well.
"He was sick during the night, he stayed away from the players and did not eat much.
"Once he got out he did not think it was possible. We told Issa Diop to be ready. It is a stomach bug, probably something he has eaten."
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He added: "I hope that we have changed a bit of how West Ham is perceived, but more on the pitch. We have a good, exciting young team that we are trying to improve.
"We should not allow something like this to blight what has gone on.
"A mistake has been made and there are managers with players who have made mistake. You want to feel there is forgiveness and an apology has been made."
There was speculation whether Zouma would play after he was booed by fans from both sides at Tuesday's match against Watford.
Hornets supporters hurled a barrage of insults at the France international - labelling him a "w***er" and chanting "RSPCA" when he was in possession.
Moyes yesterday defended the player at his pre-match press conference in the wake of the animal cruelty storm.
He branded Zouma a "really good lad" and claimed the Premier League club is getting "absolute hell".
The gaffer also revealed the defender is "hoping he is forgiven" after The Sun shared the horrific footage of Zouma punching and kicking his pet.
Moyes added: "We accept his actions were diabolical, but we have chosen to play him and stand by it.
"It is a terrible incident. We all totally agree. Nobody in this club doesn’t agree with that.
"But with sponsorship being taken away, that’s something the club will deal with, not me.
"We are going to get absolute hell. He's getting hell.
"We are so disappointed. It's out of character - we have never seen this from Kurt. He is a really good lad. Really surprised by it.
"He is getting help and we are trying to do as much as we can to help him."
HORRIFIC ABUSE
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady condemned the centre back's actions in a column for The Sun on Sunday but said she had seen "extreme remorse" from him.
Former Liverpool star Graeme Souness slammed Zouma in a scathing attack on Sky Sports ahead of today's game.
He said: "I've not no sympathy for him. The fact that they put it on social media, means they think there is nothing wrong with it.
"For me, I wouldn't have played him again this year and if I was still a player, I wouldn't want to play in a team with him"
The shocking footage - posted by Zouma's brother on Snapchat - showed him volleying his poor Bengal cat across his kitchen like a football.
He also chased it with a pair of designer shoes across his dining room and slapped it across the face.
Zouma was fined £250,000 - two weeks' wages - for the attack and issued a grovelling apology insisting his cats were both "perfectly fine and healthy".
ANIMAL ABUSE PROBE
He could face a criminal prosecution if the RSPCA deems his kicking and slapping of the helpless pet illegal behaviour.
Ironically, the footballer is an ambassador for a charity which protects abused big cats.
Both his cats have now been seized by the RSPCA and Zouma has been dropped by sponsors Adidas and Vitality UK.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Two cats are in our care, have been seen by a vet and are being well looked after.
“They will remain in our care while the investigation continues and are not available for rehoming although we have lots of beautiful cats who are looking for new homes: .
“We understand the high level of interest in this incident and can reassure you that our experienced officers are carrying out a full and thorough investigation.
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“Due to the fact that this is a live investigation, we are limited in what we can say, however we will provide updates when we are able.”
