Kurt Zouma cat attack shame EXCLUSIVE, Chelsea ‘must sell Kante to secure Declan Rice transfer, Club World Cup build-up

Kurt Zouma latest

Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for shamed West Ham ace Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted for animal cruelty.

Zouma was filmed kicking one of his two cats like a football and slapping it out of a child’s hands in disturbing footage filmed at his multimillion-pound mansion.

The defender has since issued a grovelling apology after the clip, shared by his brother Yoan on Snapchat, was exclusively featured by The Sun.

But the France international could still face a criminal prosecution if the RSPCA deems the clip contains illegal behaviour.

The Met Police say they won’t be investigating but the charity has its own powers to prosecute if it sees fit.

But more than 7,000 Brits have signed a petition calling for the Met to launch a probe.

The Change.org petition, started by Matthew Dixon, says: “Professional football player Kurt Zouma was filmed horrendously abusing a defenceless animal.

“He should be prosecuted for his actions”

Rice in, Kante out?

Chelsea could have the best chance of signing West Ham star Declan Rice next summer but N’Golo Kante may have to leave first.

Rice is reportedly keen on joining the Blues over Premier League foes Manchester United and Manchester City.

But the west Londoners would first need to sell Kante to free up a position in their squad for the star midfielder, which is a possibility given the France international’s age, according to The Mail.

That is a blow for United who have made the England international their top transfer priority ahead of the summer

Hornets combine youth and experience

Roy Hodgson has only been in charge of Watford for a fortnight but already the affable old timer is breaking records in his new job.

The 74-year-old oversaw the Hornets first Premier League clean sheet in 31 matches during his first game – a goalless draw at Burnley – and tonight takes his side the short distance to West Ham.

And at Turf Moor, the former Fulham and England manager put his faith in some young talent including 20-year-old Brazilian Joao Pedro.

At 54 years and 48 days younger than Hodgson, the age gap to the forward marked the biggest in Premier League history between a manager and a player who had started a match.

Pep reacts to Grealish video

Pep Guardiola has just completed his press conference ahead of tomorrow evening’s game with Brentford, and has responded to questions regarding the video of Jack Grealish appearing to be drunk on a night out.

The Manchester City manager was in good humour as he gave his views, insisting his players behaved well, and that nothing should be assumed from a short social media video.

I am upset because they didn’t invite me and I don’t like it. Hopefully next time they will invite me and we’ll do dinner together correctly at 8pm. All of them – Riyad, Kyle and Jack – they were perfect, but they will be fined because they didn’t invite me.

Pep Guardiola

Kurt behaviour disrupts Hammers preparation

The build-up to West Ham’s match with Watford this evening has been thrown into chaos by the emergence of a video that shows defender Kurt Zouma mistreating a cat.

The Frenchman has apologised for the footage of him punching and kicking the family pet, but animal protection groups are not satisfied.

Calls to drop Zouma have been made while a petition has been lobbied at the RSPCA to investigate the incident further.

Zouma’s club were quick to release a statement strongly condemning their player’s behaviour, but the necessity has disrupted preparations in the West Ham camp.

The Hammers face struggling Watford tonight as they continue their challenge for Champions League football.

Major milestone for Clarets

Burnley host Manchester United this evening in what will be the 5,000th league game in their history.

The Clarets will become only the second club in the English game to reach the milestone, following in the footsteps of their Lancashire neighbours Preston North End.

Indeed, it was a match between the two clubs that marked Burnley’s first ever match as a founder member of the Football League. Preston prevailed on that day back in 1888, winning 5-2 at Deepdale.

Salah back in Liverpool contention

Mo Salah returned to Liverpool this morning following his African Cup of Nations heartbreak, and could now be in line for the Reds’ Premier League match with Leicester on Thursday.

The Egyptian was due to take a short break, having played all seven games for his country at Afcon – four of which went to extra-time – but he instead wishes to return to domestic football at the first opportunity.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that the Premier League’s top scorer could play some part in the midweek match at Anfield.

Egypt were beaten on penalties in the final by Senegal on Sunday with Salah’s clubmate Sadio Mane scoring the winning spotkick.

Lampard preparing for huge clash

Frank Lampard is set to take charge of his first Premier League game with Everton this evening, and the stakes could not be higher.

The 16th-placed Toffees face relegation-threatened Newcastle at home with just four separating the two sides.

Lampard saw his new team power past Brentford in the FA Cup on Saturday, and has now been boosted for the run-in by the return from injury of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The former Chelsea boss is also likely to hand debuts to new signings Dele Alli, Donny van de Beek and Anwar El Ghazi.

The last Everton manager to lose his first league game in charge of the Goodison Park club was Gordon Lee in February 1977.

Twelves new bosses have avoided defeat since then, will Lampard continue the 45-year-run or will it be unlucky number 13 for Frank?

Toon could conquer Europe

Newcastle United can win the Champions League, according to their new signing Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazilian star joined the Magpies from Lyon at the end of January for a fee that could rise to £42million, and is in line to make his debut tonight against Everton.

Now the 24-year-old has explained why he snubbed a move to Arsenal in favour of the north-east, and that’s because Newcastle are destined to become a global power.

“We are going to be a club that is going to be a big power in world football.

“This is a historic club with a great tradition and a beautiful history. I have no doubts about my decision to come to Newcastle.

“They’ve won league titles but we want more – we want to win the Champions League.”

Ralph ready to call time

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is considering retirement when his contract comes to an end in 2024, reports HampshireLive.

The popular Austrian took charge at St Mary’s in December 2018, and feels that half a decade in charge of a Premier League outfit is enough for one career.

“Five and a half years in the Premier League, that’s a lot of energy, regardless of job satisfaction. I can’t imagine that I want to do anything else in the coaching job after that.

“That’s the solid plan and I hope I have the strength to pull it off. [I want to] put Southampton on a very healthy footing by 2024.

“Then I’ll be 57 years old. I’d like to experience other things and not sit on the bench like Roy Hodgson at 74. Definitely not.”

Jack the lad about town

Jack Grealish has endured a difficult first season at Manchester City, and may now face the wrath of manager Pep Guardiola after footage emerged of the player supposedly being ‘turned away from a bar for being too drunk.’

A video was posted on TikTok that appears to show the £100million footballer swaying as he was led away from Albert’s Schloss in Manchester city centre by a member of his entourage.

Grealish had been out with teammates Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez, but an accompanying comment with the video on social media stated that “Man like Jacky too drunk to get in.”

Along with Phil Foden, Grealish was reprimanded by Guardiola earlier in the season after the City boss was unhappy with the state in which the pair reported back for training after a night out.

The leaders are scheduled to host Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Muller time at St James’ Park?

Big-spending Newcastle United are reportedly interested in bringing German superstar Thomas Muller to St James’ Park in the summer.

The Magpies supposedly made tentative enquiries about the 32-year-old during the January transfer window, but were given short shift by Bayern Munich.

However, Eddie Howe’s team remain interested in the attacking midfielder, as well as his compatriot Bernd Leno.

Muller is out of contract at the Allianz Arena next summer, and Newcastle officials are hopeful that he may be swayed by a large payday.

A legend for club and country, Muller has been capped over 100 times, and has scored 136 goals for Bayern in 404 Bundesliga appearances.

Zouma act far from purr-fect

West Ham have “unreservedly condemned” the actions of defender Kurt Zouma after he was filmed kicking and slapping his cat.

The Frenchman has also apologised after the video of him mistreating his pet surfaced.

The player admitted he was sorry for and ashamed of the incident via a statement: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.

“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. 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.”

Good morning football fans

Bruno Guimaraes claims he snubbed Arsenal and Juventus as Newcastle can win the Champions League.

The Brazil anchorman says he quit Lyon for the newly-rich, Saudi-backed Magpies as they are ‘definitely going to be a world power’.

Meanwhile, RB Leipzig handed the Gunners another blow in their search for a defensive midfielder.

The Germans vowed to battle to keep Frenchman Christopher Nkunku.

With Emile Smith Rowe blossoming, the Gunners’ need for a new playmaker is far less.

But Arsenal, like the rest of the Premier League, will surely cast a curious eye towards Brentford, where ex-Tottenham stylist Christian Eriksen has begun training following his deadline-day arrival.

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has urged his players to sort out any grievances with him ‘directly’ – not on social media.

Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial both rocked the boat at Old Trafford by contradicting claims from Rangnick.

But Lingard and Edinson Cavani are back in the United squad as the Premier League returns at Burnley tonight.

Newcastle host Everton while West Ham are at home to Watford in this evening’s other two fixtures.

Hasenthuttl quit hint

Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted he is planning on quitting management in two years, writes TOIM BARCLAY.

The Southampton boss, 54, says he does not want to be a veteran boss like Roy Hodgson.

Speaking to German publication Kicker, Hasenhuttl has revealed he wants to leave Saints on a “very healthy footing by 2024” and then walk away.

He said: “I always wanted to prove to myself that I could very well work for a club for a longer period of time. 

“Hopefully, it will be five and a half years here, that’s a damn long time in modern football, and then that’s probably it.

“Five and a half years in the Premier League, that’s a lot of energy, regardless of job satisfaction. I can’t imagine that I want to do anything else in the coaching job after that.”

Should Hasenhuttl stay in his current role for another two years, he would be Southampton’s longest-serving manager since Chris Nicholl who was in post from 1985-91.

He is said to have already informed Saints’ new owners Sport Republic of his ambitions.

Hasenhuttl added: “Saying no to everything else is also a yes to yourself, and I want that.

“That’s the solid plan and I hope I have the strength to pull it off. [I want to] put Southampton on a very healthy footing by 2024, but then that was it.

“Then I’ll be 57 years old. I’d like to experience other things and not sit on the bench like Roy Hodgson at 74. Definitely not.”

Are RU kidding?

FA bosses face a hostile battle with Russia to host Euro 2028. writes MARTIN LIPTON.

Uefa chiefs are understood to be keen on the five-nation bid — the UK and Ireland — after signalling there would be no consequences for the chaos and carnage of the Euro 2020 final.

But they now face the prospect of Russia laying down a challenge before the March 23 deadline.

And with tensions between the UK Government and Moscow hardening over the possible invasion of Ukraine, it could see Wembley chiefs once again caught up with global politics.

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed the five home associations had agreed to drop the proposed 2030 World Cup bid to  concentrate on Euro 2028.

He said: “For the Euros we have a clearer bidding timeline and when we assess everything we can put together a highly-competitive bid.

“It has always been about winnability. Uefa have been very transparent with all 55 countries that they want to use the 2024 and 2028 Euros to rebuild their coffers and the reserves that they had to use during the pandemic.

“We can put together an incredibly strong tournament with a really strong commercial return for Uefa — and feel that puts us in a strong position.

“This is the third biggest sports event in the world and we’ve got a good opportunity to bring it to our countries and make a massively positive impact.

“The economics are really positive, the impact it will have on encouraging people to get out and be active and play football will be really positive as well. We’re incredibly excited.”

Eriksen’s hunger to return

Brentford new boy Christian Eriksen revealed he wanted to return to football just “two days” after his shock cardiac arrest, writes ISABELLE BARKER.

The Denmark star, 29, also reassured fans that even with his implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) he can “run marathons and deep dive” if he wanted to.

But he says on the journey to the hospital from the Parken Stadium following his Euro 2020 collapse, he was close to leaving his boots at the ground because he thought his career was finished. 

When asked about how long it took for him to change his mind about returning to the pitch, Eriksen said: “Two days later. It was in the moment and I recognised what happened to me later on in that night and the next few days about what was really going on.

“The feeling of getting to hear from the doctors that even with an ICD there are no limits and with your condition there are no limits not to (play).

“People can run marathons, swimming, deep diving, whatever, all sorts. It just depends on the diagnosis and how you feel about it 

“I told Sabrina ‘I’m saying this now I’ll leave my boots but don’t be certain if a few days goes by and I’ll probably change my mind if everything is ok’ and luckily everything after was ok.”

Utd are ‘biggest transfer losers’

Manchester United have made by far the biggest loss on transfers in the Prem in the past 10 years, research says.

CIES Football Observatory say United were £78million more in debit than neighbours City.

The Red Devils’ worst-value big buys probably include Angel Di Maria (£67.5m), Anthony Martial (£54m) and Harry Maguire (£78m).

And so far the £112m double buy of Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane could, so far, hardly be called money well spent.

Toon can win Champions League

Bruno Guimaraes revealed he snubbed Arsenal because Newcastle CAN win the Champions League, writes OSCAR PAUL.

The Brazilian midfielder star is in line to make his debut tonight against Everton and vowed to turn Newcastle into a global power.

Guimaraes, 24, signed for the Saudi Arabia-owned Toon from Lyon for a fee rising to £42million amid January interest from Arsenal.

Asked if relegation-threatened Newcastle are as big as the Gunners, he declared: “Definitely. We are going to be a club that is going to be a big power in world football.

“This is a historic club with a great tradition and a beautiful history. I have no doubts about my decision to come to Newcastle.

“They’ve won league titles but we want more — we want to win the Champions League. The owners were very up front and honest. They didn’t disguise that the main objective and challenge was remaining in the Premier League this season.

“But in the seasons coming, the objective is to be in the Champions League and to eventually win the Champions League.

“I believe in the project and I believe in everything they told me.”

EXCLUSIVE: Stop complaining on social media

Ralf Rangnick has told his players to stop moaning at him on social media.

Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial have both caused a storm at Manchester United after contradicting their manager’s comments.

Asked if it would be better sorted behind closed doors, Rangnick said: “It’s always better. I never ever read or communicate by those social media accounts.

“I don’t exist there and wouldn’t have time to do that so therefore it’s always better and I always communicate with the players directly.

“I did that with Anthony Martial and Jesse but maybe I’m a different kind of generation. My generation didn’t grow up with those kind of things.

“I can even remember a time when there were no mobile phones or internet so for me it’s always better to communicate directly.

“I know in both cases what I said to the players and what happened so for me there’s no reason to discuss this anymore.”

Zouma filmed kicking and slapping pet cat

West Ham defender Kurt Zouma could be prosecuted after being filmed booting his cat like a football across his kitchen floor.

The 27-year-old is also seen slapping his pet’s face.

The club has condemned his actions and will “deal with the matter internally”.

Zouma is seen attacking the pet at his £2million mansion while his brother films him.

He drops the moggy and boots it in mid air across the kitchen floor.

The French international then chases the animal around his dining room in front of a child as the cameraman laughs.

Zouma also hurls a pair of designer shoes at the pet — which frantically tries to escape.

In a final clip, he is seen forcefully slapping the cat in the face — and out of the child’s arms.

Last night, Zouma issued a grovelling apology for the attack and insisted it was an isolated incident.

He said: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.