Dagenham defender Yoan Zouma, the brother of West Ham‘s Kurt Zouma, has been charged under the Animal Welfare Act, his club have said.
Yoan Zouma was suspended by Dagenham in February after he filmed his brother Kurt slapping and kicking his own cat.
The National League club confirmed on Wednesday that Yoan Zouma had now been charged by the RSPCA over the incident. Their statement did not mention Kurt Zouma.
‘Dagenham & Redbridge FC note the decision of the RSPCA to charge Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act 2006,’ the statement said.
‘Whilst Yoan continues to fully co-operate with the RSPCA, as this matter has now progressed further, Dagenham & Redbridge FC feel it is no longer appropriate for either Yoan or the club to make any further statement.
‘Dagenham & Redbridge FC maintain their position in that the club continues to condemn all animal cruelty.’
Dagenham did say that the defender would now be available to play for them after his period of suspension.
‘Since the allegation, and whilst investigations were taking place, Dagenham & Redbridge FC took the decision that Yoan should not play football for the club,’ the statement continued.
Kurt Zouma’s brother Yoan (left) has been charged by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act
The pair were seen kicking their cat in footage which emerged on social media in February
Yoan, who filmed Kurt performing the shocking act, has now been prosecuted by the RSPCA
‘Four weeks have now elapsed however since the incident, and the club feels that any further suspension from the team would be detrimental to both the club and Yoan. A decision has been made therefore for Yoan to be available to play.
‘The club reserves the right to take further action if deemed necessary after conclusion of the court proceedings.’
Kurt Zouma has continued to play for West Ham since the incident, but has been on the receiving end of booing, including from Hammers fans.
West Ham boss David Moyes said he understood the criticism he faced for continuing to select the France international, admitting what the player had done was ‘terrible’.
The RSPCA have also been investigating Kurt for his role in the incident, but after being contacted by Sportsmail last week they were unable to provide an update on its stage.
It is believed their investigation is nearing an end, however, meaning the Hammers defender could be slapped with the same charge as his brother.
Kurt has continued to play for West Ham over the past month despite the footage
David Moyes has said he understands criticism for picking him, branding his actions ‘terrible’
And depending on the evidence produced from the investigation, any move to prosecute him could force West Ham to discipline the player further, having already fined him two weeks wages.
Adidas also terminated their contract with Zouma in the aftermath of the footage emerging.
However, the German sportswear firm has faced a major backlash over their decision to axe him.
Social media has been rife with assertions that Adidas’ decision to drop him as a client has racist undertones.
The sportswear giants stuck with Luis Suarez despite the striker racially abusing Patrice Evra and biting Giorgio Chiellini.
And last week they suspended – but didn’t terminate – their partnership with the Russian Football Union following the nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
