Graeme Souness blasts Kurt Zouma and says the "cat’s done nothing wrong"
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Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness said he does not feel sorry for West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma, and that he wouldn't have given the Frenchman another appearance this year as punishment for his actions.
The £34million summer signing of Chelsea caused uproar, when a video of him kicking and slapping his pet cat was exposed.
Despite the shocking incident, which Zouma swiftly apologised for, West Ham manager David Moyes shocked the footballing universe by opting to start Zouma in the Hammers’ 1-0 home victory against Watford.
The Frenchman’s every touch and pass was booed by Watford supporters and, according to reports, by some of his own fans throughout the contest.
Nevertheless, Souness said he does not feel any sympathy towards the Frenchman.
"I have zero sympathy for him. He’s turned up today and got abuse from his own supporters,” Zouma said before West Ham’s away match against Leicester City.
“West Ham’s roots are in the East end of London, salt of the earth people. People that would not, the vast majority, would not be accepting of it.
"I have major problems with it, for me looking at that video, that cat hadn’t done anything wrong. It was picked up and abused for entertainment. They’re laughing.
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"The fact it goes out on social media suggests they didn’t think there was anything wrong with it, they thought people would find this amusing.”
Moyes has justified his decision to start Zouma on multiple occasions, while West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has also emphasised the defender’s ‘extreme remorse’ for his actions.
However, Souness slammed the manner in which the Hammers’ have handled the situation, stating the defender’s punishment – believed to be a fine of around £250,000 or two-weeks wages – was not severe enough.
"They have mismanaged it from day one. For me, I wouldn’t have played him again this year.
“If I was still a player I wouldn't want to be in the dressing room with him.
"I would not want him round the place till he showed real remorse."
Zouma was left out of the Hammers’ clash against Leicester City, but this is believed to be due to illness and not the on-going situation.
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