Kurt Zouma might have escaped punishment both at a club level – for the most part – and in the United Kingdom, but the Frenchman could be facing time behind bars in his home country after being caught physically abusing his pet cat.
The West Ham center-back was recorded slapping and kicking his poor pet in a video released by British tabloid The Sun, with fans, pundits, and animal rights group joining forces in condemning his actions. The Met police decided against investigating the former Chelsea man and while there were suggestions the Hammers would discipline him and drop him for yesterday's clash with Watford, the London side opted against such punishment and started him in the 1-0 victory.
However, this does not mean he is out of the woods. According to the Daily Mail, a legal complaint has been filed against him in Paris after sparking anger in his home country due to his horrible actions. Lawyers working for 30 Million Friends Foundation, the country's largest animal rights group, have reached out to prosecutors in order to get the player punished.
France has tough animal protection laws that can punish a person for up to four years in prison for the mistreatment of animals. Additionally, article 113-6 of the French Penal Code allows a citizen to be prosecuted for criminal acts committed abroad.
"In the case of Kurt Zouma, the video appears to show aggravating facts, so he could be in very serious trouble," a source close to the case told the British publication.
While the Premier League ace played his part in West Ham's 1-0 victory over Watford on Tuesday, a result which saw the London club return to fourth spot in the table, he received little to no love from his own fans during that tie. Both sets of supporters booed the defender while onlookers slammed David Moyes' decision to name him straight in the lineup.
The Hammers have reacted to the backlash, handing the player a slap on the wrist by suspending him from their upcoming tie against Leicester and docking him two weeks' worth of salary, which will be donated to animal charities.
