They confirmed the news on Twitter
Vitality have announced that they have suspended their sponsorship with West Ham United after video footage on Tuesday showed Kurt Zouma kicking his cat.
A clip obtained from The Sun on Monday showed the West Ham United defender kicking and slapping his pet cat. The 27-year-old has since apologised, while the club have also condemned his actions.
West Ham have also confirmed that Zouma has been fined the “maximum amount” and ordered to donate the money to animal charities.
The two cats that the 27-year-old owns are also now in the care of the RSPCA as Surrey Police begin their investigation – the organisation confirmed.
Another one of the Hammers’ sponsors, Experience Kissimmee have said that they are ‘evaluating their relationship’ with the club after they decided to name Zouma in their starting XI for their game against Watford on Tuesday night.
Manager David Moyes however justified his decision by saying he chose to include the Frenchman for ‘footballing reasons.’
But another one of West Ham’s sponsors Vitality have confirmed they will no longer sponsor the club in a statement posted on Twitter.
They tweeted: “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. [1/2]”
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. [1/2]— Vitality UK (@Vitality_UK) February 9, 2022
Vitality then added: “As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham United with immediate effect. We will now be further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation. [2/2]”
As such, we are suspending our sponsorship of West Ham United with immediate effect. We will now be further engaging with the club to understand what actions they will be taking to address the situation. [2/2]
— Vitality UK (@Vitality_UK) February 9, 2022
Neither West Ham or Zouma have yet to respond to Vitality’s comments.
Related links:
- RSPCA confirm Kurt Zouma’s two cats removed from his care
- West Ham sponsor to evaluate relationship with club after Kurt Zouma video
- Kurt Zouma could face four years in prison in France for attacking pet cat
