‘Is it worse than racism?’: Michail Antonio defends Kurt Zouma over calls for West Ham to sack defender

A teammate of Kurt Zouma, the West Ham footballer shown violently abusing his pet cat in a disturbing video, has compared the ferocious response to the incident to those caused by players’ racist outbursts.

Kurt Zouma has been fined by his club, West Ham, but has so far escaped censure by the FA

Michail Antonio asked whether players guilty of abusing other players had been punished more lightly than the 27-year-old Frenchman, who is facing calls to be sacked.

The disturbing footage, which showed Zouma drop-kicking and slapping one of his Bengal cats in front of a child, while his brother laughed behind a camera, caused a strong reaction on social media and elsewhere. Adidas quickly ended its relationship with the player while West Ham’s commercial partners Experience Kissimmee and Vitality have respectively ended and suspended their deals with the club.

'I belong on the big stage' -Joshua on Usyk rematch and future Fury fight

U.S. Olympic figure skater Mariah Bell on her strategy to win gold in Beijing, , Adam Rippon & Puppies

Mason Greenwood Released On Bail Pending Further Investigation Original Video M207652

Mason Greenwood: Manchester United striker further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill

UFC star Kevin Holland submits 'troll' in sparring session

Rafael Nadal celebrates Australian Open victory after sensational comeback

‘Are you stupid?’ Daniil Medvedev screams at umpire during Australian Open semi-final

"Maybe a chance to say goodbye" - Nadal admits he was close to retiring before Aus Open

'Rudiger is very important for us' - Tuchel on Chelsea star

Tyson Fury appears to confirm future fight with Dillian Whyte

McIlroy's first major win

Tyson Fury hits out at heavyweight rival 'cowards'

D