Kurt Zouma has been the subject of a heavy financial sanction from his club West Ham. His employer, whose image was tarnished, even announced that he had received “the largest possible fine”. According to several English media, the French international was fined 250,000 pounds, or about 300,000 euros. A significant sum, but which corresponds to only two weeks of salary of the international tricolore (11 selections).
The maximum amount of a fine that a club can impose on its player is usually two weeks’ salary, which, in the case of the Frenchman, would amount to almost 300, 000 euros in total. “The player immediately accepted the fine and requested that the amount be paid to an animal rights organization,” the club said. The punishment follows the release of a shocking video in which the Hammers defender repeatedly punches his cat. A video that scandalized beyond England.
“Kurt is remorseful and, like everyone at the club, totally understands the intensity of the reaction caused by the incident and the need for action to be taken,” the club said.
Shortly before West Ham’s announcement, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the world’s largest animal welfare charity, said the player’s two cats had been taken from him.
“We would like to reassure everyone that we are investigating and that the cats are safe and that we are taking care of them,” the RSCPA tweeted.
“Kurt and the club are cooperating fully with the investigation and the player has, of his own free will, accepted all the measures taken initially, including giving the two family cats to the RSPCA to be examined,” West Ham said.
A petition in French and English calling for legal action against the player has also been a huge success on the platform change.org with almost 170,000 signatures by 15:50 (French time).