Police

THOUSANDS of people have signed a petition calling for shamed West Ham ace Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted for animal cruelty.The defender 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.
Thousands of furious Brits have signed a petition calling on the Met Police to prosecute West Ham ace Kurt Zouma
More than 7,000 people have signed the petition hours after The Sun exclusively shared footage of the player booting his cat like a football
He’s since issued a grovelling apology after the film, shared by his brother Yoan on Snapchat, was exclusively featured by The Sun.
But the Premier League ace could still face a criminal prosecution if the RSPCA deems the clip contains illegal behaviour.
The Met Police say they won’t be investigating, although the charity has its own powers to prosecute if it sees fit.
Now 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.”
It comes as:

Mr Dixon wrote: “Thank you to everyone who has signed the petition.
“This ‘man’ cannot be allowed to get away with abusing this poor cat in this way.”
West Ham says the matter will be dealt with internally.
Zouma is likely to be dropped for West Ham’s clash against Watford tonight as the club disciplines the player.
It is thought the Hammers star man could be at least fined wages for the shamed clips, which fans have complained puts their season in jeopardy.
The club said: “West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated.
“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.”
‘PROSECUTE HIM’
Zouma, 27, last night apologised after the emergence of the sick clips.
The video was filmed at his £2million house on Sunday afternoon – a day after he appeared for West Ham in the FA Cup.
“I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret,” he said.
“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.”
Thousands of people have contacted the RSPCA urging the charity to prosecute.
The issue has also been discussed on breakfast television.
BRITS’ FURY
Susanna Reid told Good Morning Britain viewers: “There is something sickening about the defensive abuse of a helpless animal.
“Why would you do that? What on earth possesses you to mistreat an animal like that? And then thinking it’s a good laugh.”
Her co-star Richard Madeley replied: “Power and control.
“I think there needs to be a prosecution.”
Meanwhile, animal charity Blue Cross has also backed calls for a criminal investigation.
Chief executive officer Chris Burghes said: “The video is appalling and very distressing to watch.
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“This kind of cruelty is unacceptable towards any living being, and for a child to also witness this is additionally disturbing.
“There may have been statements afterwards that the two cats are well-loved family pets, but the trauma this individual cat has experienced is very likely to affect its wellbeing for the future.
“The UK Government recently raised the sentencing for animal cruelty to a maximum of a five-year jail term, and we fully support prosecution for cases like this.”
West Ham says they will be dealing with the matter internally – but the RSPCA may still mount a prosecutionCredit: Supplied
Zouma, pictured in November last year, has apologisedCredit: Getty More

PREMIER League ace Yves Bissouma today had his bail extended for another five weeks following his dramatic nightclub arrest.The in-form Brighton midfielder, 25, was led away in handcuffs by uniformed cops in the early hours of October 6 after he was detained on suspicion of assault.
Brighton ace Yves Bissouma’s bail has been extended
The star was arrested in the early hours of the morning last month at a Brighton club
Shocked revellers at The Arch, on the seafront in Brighton, told how they saw Bissouma being marched out of a packed nightclub in handcuffs by police officers.
The Man Utd and Liverpool target spent a night in the cells with a pal in his 40s.
The pair were bailed until today.
But Sussex Police confirmed they’ve extended the date as investigations continue.
A spokesperson said: “The bail date for both individuals has been extended to Monday, December 6 while investigations continue.
“No further information is available at this time.”
Bissouma, a likely big-money target in the upcoming January transfer window, was filmed by revellers during his arrest at 2am.
An insider said: “The club was packed — it was a popular student night, especially with freshers in town.
STAR BAILED AGAIN
“People were starstruck to see Bissouma in the club — he’s Brighton’s best player at the moment, so he definitely caught some eyes.
“They were even more shocked to see him later being led away in handcuffs outside the club.
“People were absolutely stunned by what was going on.
“The next thing we knew, two police officers were taking him away in cuffs. I couldn’t believe it.”
Brighton said at the time of £45,000-a-week Bissouma’s arrest: “Brighton & Hove Albion are aware that one of its players is assisting police with the investigation of an alleged offence.
“The matter is subject to a legal process and the club is therefore unable to make further comment at this time.”
The star has been one of Brighton’s top performers this year.
He recently declared his aim to be the best in the top flight.
SHOCK ARREST
Asked who was the Premier League’s top midfielder, he told BBC One’s Football Focus: “I don’t want to be arrogant, but it’s me because in my head I am working to be the best. So I cannot say another name.
“I know in the Premier League there are so many good midfielders, but for me, it’s me because that gives me the confidence and the energy to work hard to show people I am here and I am Bissouma.”
The player — born in the Ivory Coast but now a Mali international — signed for the Seagulls from French side Lille in 2018 for a reported £15million.
He scored his first goal for the club against Bournemouth in the FA Cup third round in 2019. Bissouma has since attracted the attentions of a clutch of Big Six clubs with a string of impressive performances.
One against Everton last season had Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher raving he was “the best player by a mile on the pitch”. He added: “You looked at him and he really does look like a top-quality player.”
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has called him an “exceptional footballer”.
Among his highlights was a 30-yard strike he netted against Everton in October 2020, which won him the club’s Goal of the Month award.

Brighton had to fight tooth and nail to keep him over the summer amid fierce interest, and he started this season equally strongly before picking up a knee injury.
He has been tipped to leave the club when the January transfer window opens.
Brighton manager Graham Potter has branded his 6ft star “unique”, saying he “does not have a direct replacement” for him.
The Sun reported the shock arrest in October
Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma shows off his super skills on the training pitch More