• 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
Michail Antonio Gives Powerful Response When Asked To Comment On Kurt Zouma's Cat Kicking Video

Home> Football

Updated 10:54 10 Feb 2022 GMTPublished 10:19 10 Feb 2022 GMT

Michail Antonio Gives Powerful Response When Asked To Comment On Kurt Zouma's Cat Kicking Video

Antonio has responded to those who are calling for Zouma to be sacked by West Ham.

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan

West Ham forward Michail Antonio has issued a powerful response after being asked to comment on the ongoing situation surrounding Kurt Zouma. 

Zouma sparked widespread outrage this week after footage emerged of him abusing his cat in his home.

The France international issued a public apology and has been fined two weeks wages by West Ham but was allowed to play in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Watford.

Zouma has received widespread criticism for abusing his cat (Image: PA)
Zouma has received widespread criticism for abusing his cat (Image: PA)

A petition calling for Zouma to be prosecuted has now received more than 270,000 signatures and Essex Police have confirmed they are liaising with the RSPCA as part of “urgent inquiries” into the matter.

Advert

West Ham have faced criticism over their handling of Zouma, with some calling for the defender to be sacked by the club.

When asked if Zouma should have received a harsher punishment, Antonio said: “I’ve got a question for you. Do you think what he’s done is worse than racism?”

“I’m not condoning a thing that he’s done. I don’t agree with what he’s done, at all.

“But there’s people that have been convicted and caught for racism and have played football afterwards.

Advert

“They got punished, an eight-game punishment or something like that… but people are now calling for people to be sacked and to lose their livelihood.

“I’ve just got to ask this question to everyone out there. Is what he’s done worse than what people have done that have been convicted for racism?”

Antonio's comments come after former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland claimed that Zouma's abuse of his pet was "worse" than racism.

The France international has issued a public apology (Image: PA)
The France international has issued a public apology (Image: PA)

Advert

Kirkland’s comments were immediately met with a backlash from supporters and the former Liverpool and Wigan goalkeeper was forced to take to social media to clarify his stance.

"Hi, just a quick video - I know a lot of people seem to be offended and listen I totally understand with what I said this morning about the Kurt Zouma situation,” said Kirkland.

"Obviously I mentioned racism and about if players have been banned before, I know I said that it's possibly worse and that but what I meant was animals can't defend themselves - they've not got a voice.

"Obviously humans have but listen, racism goes without saying it's an absolute disgrace and anyone who does that should be locked up, people know how I feel about that I don't have to say that.

Advert

"But yeah, it was just in the context that animals can't defend themselves, they've not got a voice, I meant in that way not obviously the other way so hope that clears it up and yeah, take care everybody."

Zouma was dropped by his sponsor Adidas on Wednesday as the fallout from the video continues, while Vitality have suspended their own sponsorship deal with West Ham.

Zouma was allowed to play for West Ham in Tuesday's win over Watford (Image: PA)
Zouma was allowed to play for West Ham in Tuesday's win over Watford (Image: PA)

Meanwhile, the RSPCA have confirmed that Zouma's cats are now in their care while investigations continue.

Advert

"Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats," an RSPCA spokesperson said.

"They've been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues.

"We're grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation.

"We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: West Ham United, Kurt Zouma, Michail Antonio, Football, Premier League

Rory O'Callaghan
Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

X

@rory_ocallaghan

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • 7 mins ago

    Newcastle stance on Alexander Isak transfer to Liverpool emerges after huge bid submitted for Hugo Ekitike

    Newcastle are in the market for one of Europe's most sought-after strikers.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Cole Palmer drops the coldest three-word message on Instagram after Donald Trump controversy at Club World Cup final

    Palmer and his Chelsea team-mates celebrated their Club World Cup success with an unexpected visitor.

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Rodrygo sends Chelsea fans into meltdown with Instagram comment after Club World Cup final win

    The Real Madrid star's comment has some Chelsea fans seriously excited.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Benjamin Sesko drops massive hint on his next club after Arsenal rejection and it's caught everyone off guard

    The RB Leipzig star has been strongly linked with several big clubs this summer.

    Football
  • Premier League issues statement after Michail Antonio involved in serious road traffic collision
  • West Ham issue update on Michail Antonio after striker involved in car crash
  • Tomas Soucek gives update on Michail Antonio after video call before West Ham win following horror car crash
  • Michail Antonio releases incredible footage of his recovery journey after horrific car crash that ended his season