MY ACCOUNT
David Moyes will continue to pick Kurt Zouma despite the West Ham defender being the subject of an investigation after attacking his pet cat.
A disturbing video surfaced this week showing Zouma kicking and slapping his cat.
The player’s two pets have since been taken into the care of the RSPCA, which is investigating the clip with the support of West Ham.
The Hammers have already fined Zouma “the maximum amount possible” – reported to be £250,000 – but he remains available for selection.
Zouma, who has apologised, played against Watford on Tuesday and will again be among manager Moyes’ options against Leicester City this weekend.
Moyes said ahead of that game: “There are different views whether he should be available. We decided he should. I stand by that.
“I don’t think a club could have taken action any quicker than they’ve done at the moment. West Ham have done a really good job.
“I’m not condoning him, his actions were terrible, they were diabolical, but we’ve chosen to play him and we stand by that.
“We will get him some help. We are trying to do as much as we can as a club, as a team, to help him.
“Like people who maybe have drink-driving offences, most of them have to go to classes to learn the reasons and the damage that can be done.
“I think RSPCA are going to provide us some courses for Kurt to understand about animals and how to treat them.
“He’s incredibly remorseful. Like everybody else, in life sometimes you need a bit of forgiveness. He’s hoping he is forgiven for a bad action.”
