Richard Keys has criticised West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady after she called for Kurt Zouma to receive forgiveness.
Zouma caused outrage last week after a video emerged of him kicking and slapping one of his cats at his home.
West Ham fined the defender two weeks wages but he was allowed to play in Tuesday’s 1-0 win over Watford, despite some fans calling for him to be sacked.
Writing in her column for The Sun on Friday, Brady said Zouma had shown “genuine remorse and regret” and that West Ham believe “in giving second chances”.
She added that there was “no defence” for Zouma’s actions, but that she values “the fundamental human qualities of forgiveness and redemption”.
Former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys has slammed Brady and says it is “ridiculous” West Ham are “trying to excuse” the France international.
“This is hilarious,” he wrote on Twitter.
This is hilarious. When did you decide this was the case @karren_brady ? Was it when you realised a £30m asset might get cancelled? You didn’t feel this way a few years back when you were spreading your nonsense. Looking forward to seeing Paul at the WC 👍🏼. pic.twitter.com/HxZeRZFQRH
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) February 12, 2022
“When did you decide this was the case @karren_brady? Was it when you realised a £30m asset might get cancelled?”
In a later tweet, Keys added: “It is ridiculous for @WestHam & @karren_brady to try to excuse Zouma. No - it’s not like a driving offence.
“There are consequences for that - you get banned for a year. Zouma is still playing. He’ll earn another £250,000 in a fortnight. It’s a disgrace. He shouldn’t be playing.”
West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed Zouma will be available for selection when the Hammers take on Leicester on Sunday.
“We all make mistakes in life,” said Moyes.
It is ridiculous for @WestHam & @karren_brady to try to excuse Zouma. No - it’s not like a driving offence. There are consequences for that - you get banned for a year. Zouma is still playing. He’ll earn another £250,000 in a fortnight. It’s a disgrace. He shouldn’t be playing.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) February 12, 2022
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“I am not condoning his actions. We all accepted they were diabolical. But we've chosen to play him and I stand by that.
“He is really remorseful and disappointed in his actions. There will be reactions at football grounds, which he will have to expect and rightly so.
“He played the other night and I thought the West Ham supporters gave him a good reception.”
Meanwhile, West Ham forward Michail Antonio has questioned the reaction to Zouma’s video.
When asked if the defender 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.
West Ham's Michail Antonio has questioned the reaction to Kurt Zouma kicking his cat, asking if it's worse than players convicted of racism. pic.twitter.com/QchAIeXOsT
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 10, 2022
“But there’s people that have been convicted and caught for racism and have played football afterwards.
“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?”
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: West Ham United, Football, Kurt Zouma, Premier League
