David Moyes has pleaded with the public for Kurt Zouma ‘s forgiveness following the defender’s heinous mistreatment of his pet cat.
Zouma is still playing for the Hammers despite public outrage, sponsors pulling their support for the team and the player, and the RSPCA seizing two of his cats to investigate the footage of him kicking and slapping the animal.
The French defender will attend RSPCA classes, and Hammers manager Moyes, who admits he can “face himself in the mirror” for continuing to select him, hopes he will be rehabilitated similarly to a drink driver.
“We all make mistakes in life. The boy is incredibly remorseful. He’s incredibly upset at what he did – he did a terrible thing,” said Moyes.
“But if it’s the case that there’s no forgiveness, then… we’ve all made mistakes and we’ll all continue to make mistakes in life.
“We have to give people opportunities. He said he got it wrong, made a big mistake, so I’m hoping people will see it in a different way and see it with forgiveness.”
“The club are doing everything they possibly can. We’ll refer him to the RSPCA, which will assist him, just like we would if someone had committed a drink-driving offense.
“We’d hope those people would get better and never do that again.”
While Zouma was fined the maximum two weeks’ earnings, which will be donated to animal charity, there are still calls for his suspension, and an online petition to charge him has surpassed 300,000 signatures.
Yoan Zouma, the 27-year-brother, old’s has been warned he cannot play for his club Dagenham until the RSPCA concludes its investigation.
However, Moyes reiterated that Zouma will be fit to face Leicester on Sunday, adding: “If you believe that missing the game is the answer, then how many games would you suggest he should miss?” What do you believe is the appropriate number?”
“I believe the financial aspect is all that the club can provide. I’m hoping that the charities will get significant benefits from it. At the time, we’ve just emerged from a pandemic during which charity struggled.”
“As a football club, and me as a football manager, we are doing what we see fit.”
David Moyes on the Kurt Zouma situation
“I wish this circumstance had never occurred. I wish we were not even discussing this. However, if any good comes out of this, the charity will receive a large sum of money.”
“I understand the public sentiment. However, I am a member of the public. I consider myself to be a football fan and a human person.”
“I truly see where everyone else is coming from with this. I cannot justify what he has done. However, as a football club and as a manager, we are doing what we believe is right.”
