Michail Antonio asks: is Kurt Zouma’s abuse of pet cat worse than racism?

West Ham United forward Michail Antonio has questioned whether Kurt Zouma’s mistreatment of his pet cat is “worse than racism”.

France international Zouma has been widely condemned after a video emerged on line of him kicking and slapping the pet as well as throwing a shoe at it.

Zouma, 28, is under investigation by Essex Police and the UK's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) after his two cats were taken into the care of the charity.

More than 280,000 people have now signed an online petition on Change.org, started by Anti Animal Abuse, calling for Zouma to be prosecuted amid a growing public backlash.

West Ham announced on Wednesday afternoon that the 27-year-old, who has apologised, had been fined two weeks’ wages – reported to be in the region of £250,000 – which will be donated to animal welfare charities.

The Hammers have faced a barrage of criticism for selecting the defender in Tuesday night's 1-0 Premier League win at home to Watford, a day after the disturbing video - filmed by the player's brother - emerged.

When asked about the incident during an interview with Sky Sports News, West Ham striker Antonio said while he did not condone Zouma’s actions, he felt there was a wider debate to be considered.

“I’ve got a question for you. Do you think what he’s done is worse than racism?” Antonio said.

“I’m not condoning a thing that he’s done, I don’t agree with what he has done at all.

“But there’s people that have been convicted and been caught for racism, and have played football afterwards.

“They got an eight-game punishment or something like that, but people are now calling for people to be sacked, for them to lose their livelihood.

“I’ve just got to ask this question to everyone out