West Ham and boss David Moyes have been slammed by Sadiq Khan for picking Kurt Zouma on Tuesday night despite public backlash over a video of him kicking his cat.
The mayor described Zouma as “a disgrace and a bully” and said he should be charged with animal cruelty.
He added the Premier League club’s “decent” reputation would be harmed if it was seen to be “condoning what this guy has done” just to win three points in the 1-0 win over Watford.
Mr Khan told Good Morning Britain: “It wasn’t done in secret. It was done and then put out on social media which shows a lack of contrition.”
West Ham named the French defender, 27, in their starting line-up even though the RSPCA and Essex Police are carrying out urgent enquiries over the video which showed Zouma dropping, kicking and slapping his pet cat at his £2millon home.
Zouma’s every touch was relentlessly booed by supporters from both teams on Tuesday night.
Mr Khan said Premier League footballers, like others with a high profile, were role models.
He added: “We’ve got to be held to account when we don’t maintain high standards. I think this footballer is a disgrace. I think the RSPCA and the police should be looking into a criminal prosecution.
“I think West Ham, as this player’s employer and as a club that is loved by tens of thousands of fans across London and the country, should be taking action.
“I think Mr Zouma himself should reflect on what he’s done. He should show some contrition.
“If you get away with bad behaviour, whether you’re the Prime Minister, mayor or a footballer, young people who look up to you think that’s the way to behave and it’s okay.”
Asked by GMB presenter Richard Madeley if it was “shameless” for the Hammers to play Zouma, Mr Khan said: “I think the owners of club and David Moyes should reflect on whether winning the points were more important than condemning animal cruelty.
“That cat couldn’t defend herself or himself. It was the actions of a bully.”
Around 60,000 people have signed a petition called for Zouma to be prosecuted.
Former West Ham players Joe Cole and James Collins, working as pundits at Tuesday night’s match, felt the club had made a mistake in refusing to drop Zouma.
Moyes stood by his decision to pick Zouma, saying: “I’m a big animal lover and it’s something that will have affected a lot of people.
“I was completely disappointed with what I saw and what I was told, but my job was to try and find a way to get a win for West Ham. Some people will be disappointed and I understand that.”
Essex Police said: “We are aware of a video circulating on social media relating to an incident involving a cat, which members of our communities may find distressing.
“We have recently been made aware that this incident may have taken place in Essex and we are liaising with the RSPCA. Urgent enquiries are ongoing.”
The RSPCA said it had received “lots of messages on social media” about the incident.
A spokesman added: “This is a very upsetting video and we’d like to reassure the public that we are investigating.
“We cannot comment further at this time but we’re grateful to everyone who has brought this to our attention.”
Zouma, who joined the Hammers from Chelsea for £30million in August 2021, also released a statement, apologising for his actions and expressing his regret.
His brother, Dagenham & Redbridge defender Yoan, has been condemned by his club for filming the video and for “his reactions to the events shown”.
Yoan said he “deeply regretted” his actions in his own statement on the club’s official website.
