Adidas drop Kurt Zouma as sponsors’ backlash over cat attack video and West Ham’s response continues

Kurt Zouma has been dropped by kit manufacturer adidas in response to the footage of the defender attacking his cat, while club sponsors made their displeasure with West Ham public.

Adidas confirmed on Tuesday that they were conducting an internal investigation before announcing on Wednesday that they had ended their relationship with the France international - who had been filmed kicking and slapping his Bengal.

A statement from the company, who supplied his football boots, said: “We have concluded our investigation and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an adidas contracted athlete.”

Zouma has been fined £250,000 by West Ham and is under investigation by the RSPCA, who have taken his two pet cats into care.

After the decision by West Ham to allow Zouma to play in Tuesday night's game against Watford, club sponsors have hit out at the Hammers, with wellness partner Vitality questioning their judgement.

A statement read: “We were very distressed by the video we have seen of Kurt Zouma. At Vitality, we condemn animal cruelty and violence of any kind.

“We are hugely disappointed by the judgement subsequently shown by the club in response to this incident.

“As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham United with immediate effect. We will now be further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation.”

David Moyes, the West Ham manager, defended his decision by saying that despite being hugely disappointed by the incident the 27-year-old was one of the club's “better players” and that the matter was a separate issue from winning football matches.

Following the game, Experience Kissimmee, West Ham's official destination partner, said they were “evaluating our