France head coach Didier Deschamps labelled Kurt Zouma's behaviour "shocking" and "intolerable" after a video emerged of the West Ham defender abusing his cat.

The 27-year-old's actions were condemned by his club – who fined him a reported £250,000 and donated it to charity – along with the RSPCA, who took Zouma's cats into care, and several other animal welfare organisations.

Adidas also cancelled their contract with the centre-back after seeing the footage.

However, Zouma was still selected by Hammers manager David Moyes for the 1-0 Premier League win over Watford on Tuesday after the player said he was "deeply sorry" for his actions.

Deschamps also strongly criticised Zouma but refused to rule out selecting him for international duty.

"I was very surprised by Kurt," Deschamps said on France 3. "This is something that is inadmissible, intolerable, and cruelty without a name.

"These images are shocking and unbearable."

He added: "I'm not a prosecutor. I am here to make selections on different criteria.

"It's happened to me before that players who have made mistakes have not been selected for a while. I will not change my way of doing things for the next squad."

Zouma has been capped 11 times at international level and was part of France's Euro 2020 squad.

The defender has played 15 times for West Ham this season as Moyes' side push for a top-four finish in the Premier League as well as a deep run into the Europa League.

West Ham have confirmed Kurt Zouma has been fined "the maximum amount possible" while the club assist an investigation from the RSPCA into a video showing the defender kicking and slapping his cat.

The disturbing clip surfaced on Monday, with Zouma's actions condemned by the Hammers, RSPCA and other animal welfare groups.

While a statement from Zouma said he was "deeply sorry", he was still selected by David Moyes for Tuesday's match against Watford, which West Ham won 1-0.

"It is certainly ongoing and the club are dealing with it," Moyes told BT Sport after the match, and a statement followed from West Ham on Wednesday.

Both the club and the RSPCA confirmed Zouma's two cats had been taken into care, while his fine – reported to be worth £250,000 – will be donated to charity. Further punishment may follow the RSPCA's investigation.

West Ham said: "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 and has requested that it is 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."

The RSPCA said in a short message on Twitter: "We'd like to reassure people that we're investigating and the cats are safe and in our care.

"We have been dealing with this since before the clip went viral online and we need to follow the proper legal process and not discuss due to UK GDPR laws."

West Ham boss David Moyes has defended his decision to start Kurt Zouma in the victory over Watford on Tuesday.

A disturbing video surfaced on Monday showing the defender kicking a cat across the kitchen floor at his home, while also slapping it while in a child's arms.

Obtained by The Sun, the footage was filmed by Zouma's brother Yoan, who can be heard laughing, and posted on Snapchat.

The France international released a statement earlier on Tuesday saying he was "deeply sorry", while the incident was condemned by the club, RSPCA and other animal welfare groups.

Zouma nevertheless started the Hammers' showdown with Watford at the London Stadium, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win that lifted Moyes' team up to fourth in the Premier League.

While Moyes acknowledged the widespread disappointment and backlash to what he described as "a poor situation", he insisted the matter is being dealt with internally.

"I am really disappointed, and the club have taken all the actions that they can do at the moment," he told reporters in his post-match press conference.

"They are working on that behind the scenes. My job is to pick the best team for West Ham and Kurt was part of that team.

"I think the club would rather deal with it all in time, and they will let you know what the action is.

"I was really disappointed with what I saw and what I was told. But as I've said, it was my job to find the best team for West Ham. There will be people who will be disappointed at that and I understand that totally.

"I am someone who cares a lot about my dogs and horses and all the people I am connected with. I have spoken to him, and we will move on as much as we can. 

"We wanted to get this game out of the way, and we understand nobody will be pleased about it. It is a poor situation."

West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma says he is "deeply sorry" after disturbing footage showed him kicking and hitting his own cat.

The 27-year-old France international can be picking up the cat and kicking it across the kitchen floor, chasing it and also slapping it while in a child's arms.

The footage, obtained by The Sun, was filmed by Zouma's brother Yoan, who can be heard laughing, and posted on Snapchat.

"I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video," Zouma said in an apology statement.

"I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.

"They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again."

The Hammers put out a statement, condemning Zouma's actions and stating the matter would be dealt with internally.

"West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated," the club statement said.

"We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals."

Early Premier League leaders West Ham have signed defender Kurt Zouma from London rivals Chelsea on a four-year deal.

The Hammers revealed they have paid an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £25million, to land the France centre-back.

Zouma, capped eight times by his country, made 151 appearances for the Blues following his move from Saint-Etienne in 2014.

The 26-year-old won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the EFL Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.

Zouma has spent loan spells with Everton and Stoke City and he is on the move again in a permanent switch to join David Moyes' high-flying side.

"I'm very happy and very proud," Zouma told the Hammers' official website.

"My conversation with the manager went very fast. I just felt like he really wanted me to come and join the team, especially a good team that's started the season very, very well.

"With the great season that West Ham had last year, that gave the team a lot of confidence to improve this year – and I want to help the team do that."

 

Manchester City's interest in signing Tottenham's Harry Kane is widely known but a deal appears no closer to materialising. 

The 28-year-old forward was absent for the two sides' Premier League game on Sunday, when Spurs took the points.

City have reportedly bid up to £125 million to sign the England international, who reportedly requested a move late last season.

TOP STORY - KANE FRUSTRATED AS SPURS REJECT CITY BID

Kane has grown frustrated with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and thrown down the gauntlet with a proposed move to Manchester City, reports The Telegraph.

According to the report, the England forward feels that Levy has not honoured their meeting at the end of the 2019-20 season when he requested to leave Spurs if they underachieved.

Kane is also frustrated that Levy's tactics have seen fans turned against him and that the chairman is also refusing to sell or even accept calls from City.

The report claims that City have submitted a fresh £125m bid for Kane, which Spurs have turned down.

 

ROUND-UP

- El Larguero claims that Paris Saint-Germain director Leonardo has informed the players that Kylian Mbappe will stay to see out the remainder of his contract, due to expire in mid-2022, scuppering Real Madrid's hopes of signing him this month or in January.

- Samuel Umtiti, Martin Braithwaite and Miralem Pjanic are all on the chopping block at Barcelona, according to Diario AS, which claims the Catalans must sell three players this month to reduce their salary bill despite Lionel Messi's exit.

- Martin Odegaard is set to re-join Arsenal on a permanent deal from Real Madrid, says Fabrizio Romano. Talks are at their final stages with a deal until 2026.

- Tottenham are keen on Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, reports Sky Sports. The Blues would demand a £25 million fee for the Frenchman.

- Internazionale are in talks to sign forward Marcus Thuram from Moenchengladbach, claims Sky Sport Italia.

- The Sun reports that Wolves are talking to Olympiacos about signing Portuguese defender Ruben Semedo on a one-year loan.

Cristiano Ronaldo is suddenly the name dominating the transfer rumour mill.

The Portuguese superstar is reportedly drawing interest from multiple quarters.

Is a departure from Juventus on the cards?

 

TOP STORY – RONALDO SPECULATION ABOUNDS

Ronaldo is the subject of widespread speculation around Europe. 

Paris Saint-Germain would like Ronaldo to replace Kylian Mbappe if the France international departs for Real Madrid this summer window or next, says Calciomercato, opening up the tantalising prospect of a partnership with Lionel Messi.

Meanwhile, El Chiringuito suggests Carlo Ancelotti could make a move to bring Ronaldo back to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Elsewhere, Corriere dello Sport claims Ronaldo has offered his services to Manchester City.

 

ROUND-UP

- Barcelona could swap Philippe Coutinho to Arsenal in their bid to land Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Sky Sports. 

- Despite signing an extension with PSG through 2023 just a few months ago, Julian Draxler could be on the way out. Kicker says a Bundesliga team, likely Bayer Leverkusen, have made a €20m offer. 

- Hector Bellerin wants out of Arsenal, The Athletic reports, saying Inter are monitoring the situation. The Star says the Gunners could move him back to Barca in a swap deal for Emerson Royal.

- Juventus will make a final bid of €35million to Sassuolo for Manuel Locatelli, reports Fabrizio Romano. 

- Tottenham want to add Patrick Bamford to their attack but Leeds are keen to sign him to a long-term extension, says the Mirror. 

- West Ham are still trying to land Kurt Zouma from Chelsea, says the Guardian.

- Lyon are looking to pry Emerson Palmieri away from Chelsea on a loan deal with an option to buy, L'Equipe reports. 

- Clement Lenglet could be on the move from Barcelona to Roma, says Gianluigi Longari. 

Kieran Trippier has one year remaining on his Atletico Madrid contract.

The England international has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.

It has been reported that Trippier wants to return to England, having left Tottenham for LaLiga in 2019.

 

TOP STORY - TRIPPIER TO WAIT ON UNITED MOVE

Manchester United target Kieran Trippier is willing to wait until late in the transfer window to secure his move, reports the Telegraph.

Atletico Madrid full-back Trippier is said to have set his sights on a move to United, who have already been busy in the transfer market by launching moves for Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.

The report claims Trippier is prepared to sit tight and wait for United to raise the funds required to put together a move for the 30-year-old former Manchester City junior.

 

ROUND-UP

- Aston Villa are ready to restart talks with Jack Grealish about a new deal next week as Manchester City begin to ramp up their interest, according to the Express and Star.

- Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is being lined up by West Ham,  with a proposed £20m bid set to be tabled, according to the Daily Mail. It had been reported Zouma may be used in a deal for Sevilla's Jules Kounde.

- Barcelona are lining up a second bid to sign Juventus defender Cristian Romero after having had a player-plus-cash deal turned down, reports SportItalia. Tottenham are also keen on Romero.

- Celtic could make a move for ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who is currently on Tottenham's books, says BBC Sport.

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