Yoan Zouma, the brother of West Ham defender Kurt, has been suspended by club Dagenham & Redbridge pending an RSPCA investigation into their cat abuse video.
It is thought that Sunday’s clip of Kurt drop-kicking and slapping his Bengal cat was filmed by Yoan, who plays for the National League team as a defender. The footage was then posted on Snapchat and revealed by The Sun newspaper.
On Thursday, Dagenham & Redbridge confirmed Yoan will not play for the team during the investigation.
A statement read: “Yoan was this week contacted by the RSPCA to assist in their investigation and is fully cooperating with them.
“However, Dagenham & Redbridge FC would again like to reiterate that it condemns any form of cruelty towards animals and fully understands the reaction of many of its supporters.
“The club has therefore decided that until the RSPCA has completed its investigations, Yoan will not play for Dagenham & Redbridge in any competitive match. Any further action deemed necessary to be taken will be made at the conclusion of the RSPCA investigation.”
The RSPCA have seized two cats from Kurt’s property. On Tuesday, Yoan apologised for his role in the abuse.
“I deeply regret my involvement in the video that has been widely circulated and unreservedly apologise, not only for my actions, but for the upset and distress this will have caused to so many people,” he stated.
“I am now taking time to reflect on what I have done but wish to assure everyone that this was an isolated incident and not something that I am proud of.”
West Ham manager David Moyes opted to play Kurt Zouma in Tuesday’s Premier League game against Watford after the video emerged, leading to widespread condemnation and multiple sponsors suspending or ending their arrangements with the club.