Yesterday, 9/2/22, I wrote a post about the French footballer who plays for a London team being filmed by his brother abusing one of his own cats. You can read about it here:
Well this story is getting more coverage all the time and has been debated here in England on national breakfast tv this morning. Overnight there have been further actions with ‘Experience Kissimmee’, who are based in Florida USA announcing that because of this issue it has ended its sponsorship of West Ham United Football Club.
Actions are being taken in the way of sponsorships (or not), and the message is a clear and simple one; don’t abuse animals – you are people in positions that young children should look up to; and by NOT showing or personally becoming involved with any animal abuse is setting a very good example. You are not gods; even if you consider you are, you are just footballers – act your age to get respect and do the right things.
In the UK there was the ‘black lives matter’ issue where footballers knelt before the start of a match to show their support for players. This has now been dubbed as ‘CAT LIVES MATTER’ in support of the cat abused by Zouma.
Kurt Zouma cat abuse video: Second West Ham sponsor withdraws support (irishtimes.com)
Kurt Zouma cat abuse video: Second West Ham sponsor withdraws support
The player, who has apologised, has also lost his Adidas footwear sponsorship
A second West Ham sponsor has withdrawn its support for the club as the backlash continued over a video showing the defender Kurt Zouma dropping, kicking and slapping one of his cats.
Experience Kissimmee, the tourism authority for Osceola County, Florida, had been evaluating its relationship with West Ham since Zouma was selected to start Tuesday’s game against Watford after the footage went viral.
“Experience Kissimmee announced today that it has ended its sponsorship of West Ham United Football Club,” the club’s destination partner said in a tweet.
Its move comes after Vitality, West Ham’s wellness partner, suspended its sponsorship “with immediate effect”, saying it was “hugely disappointed” with the judgment shown by the club in response to the video.
West Ham said on Wednesday that they had fined Zouma “the maximum amount possible” – understood to be two weeks’ wages, amounting to £250,000 – and have condemned his behaviour.
The RSPCA has taken Zouma’s two cats into care and is conducting an investigation. The player, who has apologised for his actions, has lost his Adidas footwear sponsorship. – Guardian
Further reading 10/2:
To be completed
Regards Mark
World Animals Voice 