• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Kurt Zouma speaks publicly for first time since kicking and slapping cat

Home> Football

Published 14:12 5 Nov 2022 GMT

Kurt Zouma speaks publicly for first time since kicking and slapping cat

The West Ham defender has given his first TV interview since the incident.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Kurt Zouma has spoken publicly for the first time since being sentenced for abusing a cat.

The 27-year-old West Ham defender pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a cat, after blaming the family pet for damaging a chair.

Disturbing footage that was originally posted on Snapchat shows Zouma volleying the Bengal cat across his kitchen. He also threw a pair of shoes at the animal and slapped its head.

Advert

Prosecutor Hazel Stevens told the court Zouma could be heard saying, “I swear I’ll kill it, I swear I’ll kill it" in the clip.

Zouma admitted to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on 6 February and at a hearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court, he was banned from keeping cats for five years.

The former Chelsea defender was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service as district Judge Susan Holdham described the actions as 'disgraceful and reprehensible'.

Advert

Nine months after the shocking incident took place and Zouma has given his first TV interview with Sky Sports.

He said: "It's been a difficult spell for me and my family. Obviously I have done something very bad and I apologise for what I have done.

"I know it was very tough for people to watch and see that and obviously I feel very, very sorry and I have great remorse about it. Now I am trying to move on with my family and I'm looking ahead.

Advert

"I learnt from it, that is the most important thing. Obviously I have support from many people who helped me stay focused on football and obviously the club has been unbelievable with me.

"The support that I receive from my team-mates from the staff, everyone at the club and even from the fans, it's been unreal.

"They helped me stay focused on the game, trying to do my best on the pitch all the time. Obviously I can't thank them enough for what they have done. This club is like my family."

Image credit: Alamy
Image credit: Alamy

Advert

Shortly after the incident occured in February, the RSPCA confirmed Zouma's two cats had been taken off him.

"We'd like to reassure people that we're investigating and the cats are safe and in our care," they wrote on Twitter.

"We have been dealing with this since before the clip went viral online and we need to follow the proper legal process and not discuss due to UK GDPR laws."

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@SkySportsPL

Topics: Kurt Zouma, West Ham United, Premier League

Jack Kenmare
Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is the Senior Journalist for SPORTbible, one of the world’s biggest social publishers. He specialises in long-form feature writing and has an encyclopedic knowledge of Football Manager wonderkids from 2005 to the present day. He has a BA (Hons) in Journalism and News Practice.

X

@jackkenmare_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    Premier League Set for Crucial Vote on Rule That ‘Would Kill the Game’

    A vote between Premier League clubs will take place next month but there are fears that it could have a negative impact.

    Football
  • ITV
    12 hours ago

    The 1% Club Question That Stumped 16 Celebrities Including England Legend

    The football-related question beat 16 celebrities, including an England and Premier League legend.

    Football
  • Getty
    13 hours ago

    English Club Have Most Banning Orders for Two Seasons Running

    The Premier League side has topped the list for two years in a row.

    Football
  • Premier League
    14 hours ago

    Victim of Premier League's Most Disgusting Foul Fears It Left 'Lasting Damage'

    The player had to be taken off in a stretcher after the infamous challenge.

    Football
  • Jose Mourinho aims savage dig at ex-Chelsea star Kurt Zouma to leave John Obi Mikel in stitches
  • Kurt Zouma Dropped By Sponsor Adidas Over Cat Kicking Video
  • Kurt Zouma Brutally Mocked With Savage Chant After Cat Kicking Video
  • Jon Jones Speaks Out for the First Time Since Brother's Sudden Death