Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum of two weeks’ wages by West Ham over the video of him attacking his pet cat.
Zouma, West Ham’s highest paid player, is thought to earn around £125,000 a week, meaning the fine totals around £250,000, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
The France defender has had his two cats seized while he is under investigation following footage of him kicking and slapping one of them.
A statement from West Ham on Wednesday read: “West Ham United can confirm that the club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week.
“Kurt and the club are co-operating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including delivering his family’s two cats to the RSPCA for assessment. Kurt is extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken.”
However, reports suggest Vitality have suspended their sponsorship of West Ham United after the club’s response to the incident.
Over 165,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Zouma to be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats.”