• 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:

4 hours ago
6 hours ago
8 hours ago
  • X/via @atrupar
    4 hours ago

    Donald Trump Causes Outrage With Comment to Man City Owner Sheikh Mansour

    Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour met US president Donald Trump at the Gaza peace summit in Egypt.

    Football
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    UEFA Planning Major Change to Champions League Format as 'Ceremony' Revealed

    The Champions League could look very different from the 2027/28 season.

    Football
  • Getty
    6 hours ago

    FA Cup First Round Draw Completed as 48 Teams Enter The Competition

    The FA Cup first round draw has been completed.

    Football
  • Getty
    8 hours ago

    Clear Favourite Emerges to Sign Adam Wharton as Club 'Prepare Bid'

    Adam Wharton is garnering plenty of attention following his performances for Crystal Palace.

    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