Gary Newbon: Kurt Zouma should be suspended for at least two weeks for kicking cat

I despair at football logic at times. West Ham defender Kurt Zouma should have been suspended for at least two weeks as well as the fortnight’s fine of £250,000 for kicking his cats and allowing it to be shown on video.

It was a despicable and cowardly offence.

How effective are fines for multi-millionaires anyway?

I have always had the utmost respect for West Ham manager David Moyes but I cannot agree with either his logic or decision over his highest-paid player.

Moyes played him immediately in the 1-0 win over Watford after most decent people were sickened by Zouma’s behaviour over an innocent and trusting animal.

Moyes was reported as justifying it because Zouma was one of his better players!

He told the media: “It is not for you to be the judge – it is the law to be the judge. Not you or me.”

So why did the club fine him and say they are sending him for animal welfare education after donating the fine to animal welfare charities?

The evidence was the social media video. The RSPCA have since rescued the two cats.

Meanwhile, the French international’s brother Yoan was reported as filming the video of his brother drop-kicking the Bengal cat and will not play for his club, National League Dagenham and Redbridge, until the RSPCA has completed its investigations. That is what West Ham should have done.

I would stress the club have NOT condoned Zouma’s cat-kicking. Far from it, and have severely condemned it. The anger against them is that they played him in the next game.

Ironically, Zouma did not play for West Ham on Sunday after being taken ill in the warm-up before the 2-2 draw at Leicester.

The club say he is remorseful and really disappointed in his actions. I am sure he is, but so are other players in the past who