Vitality suspend sponsorship of West Ham over Kurt Zouma cat-kicking scandal

Vitality have suspended their sponsorship of West Ham over the scandal involving Kurt Zouma, whose cats were seized by the RSPCA earlier on Wednesday following the emergence of a distressing video.

A statement from the Premier League club’s Wellness Partner 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.

Zouma, who played against Watford in the Premier League on Tuesday night, has been widely condemned after a video emerged of him dropping, kicking and slapping the animal.

The RSPCA swiftly rebuked the “very upsetting” video after it surfaced online and will be leading the investigation while co-operating with Essex Police.

More than 160,000 people have signed an online petition on Change.org, started by Anti Animal Abuse, calling for Zouma to be prosecuted amid a growing public backlash.

The RSPCA confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that the cats were now in its care and The Hammers subsequently announced 27-year-old France international Zouma, 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.

A club statement read: ‘West Ham United can confirm that the club is supporting an RSPCA investigation into the actions of Kurt Zouma in the video circulated online this week.

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‘Kurt and the club are co-operating fully with the investigation and the player has willingly complied with the steps taken in the initial stage of the process, including