West Ham sponsor Experience Kissimmee evaluating their relationship with club after Kurt Zouma kicking cat video
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Updated 09/02/2022 at 09:47 GMT
Experience Kissimmee - a West Ham sponsor - say they are 'evaluating their relationship with the club' after Kurt Zouma made the starting XI for Tuesday night's Premier League encounter with Watford, despite being filmed kicking his pet cat. The France defender has been widely criticised for the incident, but Hammers boss David Moyes said he "had a job to do" in trying to win the game.
David Moyes kept Kurt Zouma in his starting XI despite the France defender's animal cruelty incident
Image credit: Getty Images
One of West Ham's sponsors has said they will evaluate their relationship with the club after seeing Kurt Zouma feature in the starting XI against Watford on Tuesday night.
Zouma has drawn widespread criticism after footage emerged of him kicking and throwing shoes at his pet cat.
Hammers boss David Moyes kept the France defender in his line-up for the 1-0 win over the Hornets, but the fallout has begun from those associated with the club.
Experience Kissimmee, the official tourism authority for Osceola County in Florida, posted on social media: "It was disheartening to learn that the player Kurt Zouma was part of the starting line in West Ham United’s game tonight.
"As we wait for further information from WHU, we will be evaluating our relationship and sponsorship with the club."
Before Zouma's place in the starting XI had been revealed, Experience Kissimmee tweeted: "Experience Kissimmee strongly condemns the actions of player Kurt Zouma.
"We will be monitoring the situation between Kurt Zouma and West Ham United, as we as an organization, community, and destination in no way condone animal cruelty."
It remains to be seen if more of the club's partners will voice their displeasure at the situation.
Moyes, despite being disappointed in Zouma's actions, was unrepentant about selecting him.
He said: "It's something we're all disappointed with and something we can't understand.
"He'll learn from it but today I had to pick a football team that gave me the best chance of winning the game as manager of West Ham.
"I know how people feel, but I'm also a football manager here.
"My feeling was that Kurt has apologised and I understand a lot of people will not just be accepting of an apology. But to me he came out and apologised honestly and I had to do my job.
"I think the club would rather deal with it all in time and they will let you know what the action is."
In his statement, Zouma had said: "I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret."
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