Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum two weeks’ wages by West Ham over the video of him attacking his pet cat.
Zouma, West Ham’s highest paid player, is thought to earn around £125,000 a week, meaning the fine totals around £250,000, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
The France defender has had his two cats seized while he is under investigation following footage of him kicking and slapping one of them.
West Ham say Zouma is co-operating with the RSPCA, who are liaising with Essex Police about the incident.
A statement from West Ham on Wednesday 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.
"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 delivering his family’s two cats to the RSPCA for assessment. Kurt is extremely remorseful and, like everyone at the club, fully understands the depth of feeling surrounding the incident and the need for action to be taken.
"Separate to the RSPCA’s investigation and pending further sanction once the outcome of that process is determined, West Ham United can confirm that Kurt Zouma has been fined the maximum amount possible following his actions in the video that circulated. The player has immediately accepted the fine, which will be donated to animal welfare charities.
"West Ham United would like to reiterate our condemnation of Kurt’s actions and make it clear that the matter continues to be handled with the utmost seriousness. However, we believe it is now important to allow the RSPCA to conduct their investigation in a fair and thorough manner, and will be making no further comment at this stage."
Over 165,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Zouma to be prosecuted for animal cruelty.
A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “The two cats are now in RSPCA care. Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats.
"They've been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues.
"We're grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation. "We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time.”
