West Ham's Zouma Fined, Loses Adidas Contract Over Pet Mistreatment

French defender Kurt Zouma has been fined by West Ham United for mistreating his cat while Adidas, the defender's official personal kit supplier, confirmed it had cut ties with him.

All these happened after a disturbing video showed him dropping, kicking and slapping his pet.

Around 200,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Zouma to be prosecuted as the public backlash intensifies in France, a county renowned for its love of animals.

West Ham issued a fresh statement on Wednesday saying Zouma was complying with the RSPCA, including delivering his two cats to the charity 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," the club said.

"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 and has requested that it should be donated to animal welfare charities."

Reports said the fine would total around £250,000 ($340 000), with standard Premier League contracts allowing for a maximum fine of two weeks' wages.

Zouma was not the only one who lost sponsorship but the Hammers were suspended by Insurance and investment company Vitality after seeing the video.

French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet said Wednesday it was "obviously a shocking act of mistreatment."

"This gratuitous, stupid and nasty act of violence appears all the more astonishing since I have never heard anyone speaking badly of Kurt Zouma. On the contrary, he is a boy known to be respectful," Le Graet told the press.

This could also mean Zouma might miss out on future call for the national team or a fine or both.

Maggie Roberts, director of veterinary services for the Cats Protection charity, said West Ham's decision to select Zouma "sends an appalling message to fans and the wider public".

The reaction has also been strong in France, with animal rights groups condemning Zouma's behaviour.