After Manchester City defender Mendy and Manchester United midfielder Greenwood became infamous for sexual assault and domestic violence scandals, Kurt Zuma, who plays for West Ham United, will be severely punished by public opinion, clubs and even laws for "cat abuse".
Zuma's "cat abuse" video was exposed, which quickly triggered widespread condemnation from social networks and public opinion, although West Ham United first announced that Zuma was fined a two-week salary (250,000 pounds), which was donated to animal protection agencies, in addition, the club also ordered him to immediately issue a public apology, Zuma also apologized to his teammates on the training ground, but the situation did not subside, but intensified.
In addition, Zuma's personal equipment sponsor Adidas has announced the suspension of the contract, which has cost him another £100,000 a year in revenue. West Ham United clubs have not been spared, life insurance company sponsor Vitality announced the end of the "Hammer Gang" annual sponsorship of 500,000 pounds, Experience Kissimmee and Hope App and other sponsors also said that they are evaluating whether to continue to sponsor West Ham United, the club's equipment sponsor Umbro also publicly condemned Zuma's behavior.
Both the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in the UK and Essex Police, where Zuma lives, have opened investigations, with the former taking his two cats away for their care until a judicial investigation is final. The French animal protection group Brigitte Bardot Foundation has formally sued Zuma, and France's largest animal protection organization, La Fondation 30 Millions d'Amis, has asked the French Football Federation to stop recruiting Zuma into the national team and sue him for animal cruelty.
Under the French Penal Code, the French judiciary can impose penalties on French persons for offences committed abroad. France introduced a tough animal protection law in 2021, and animal cruelty can be punishable by up to 4 years in prison and a fine of 60,000 euros. The UK also raised the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from 6 months to 5 years last June, with no cap on fines. As of Feb. 10, more than 200,000 people had joined forces online to sue Zuma. Because of the solid evidence, the French defender will most likely face legal proceedings and may even face jail time. The video was filmed by Zuma's younger brother Joan, who plays for England's 5th division, and has also been banned by the club.
