West Ham United manager David Moyes has named Kurt Zouma in his starting line-up against Watford on Tuesday night. The controversial decision comes just 24 hours after shocking footage of Zouma abusing his pet cat emerged on social media, leading to global backlash.
On Monday night, disturbing Snapchat videos filmed by Zouma's brother, Yoan, came to light of the centre-back harming his Bengal - an expensive breed of cat with a leopard-like appearance.
Zouma was captured dropping and kicking, chasing, slapping and throwing a pair of designer shoes at the terrified feline in his £2million mansion.
His actions have been widely condemned globally by the public and animal rights charities, but Moyes has included him in his team to face Watford at the London Stadium.
West Ham XI: Fabianski; Coufal, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio.
Kurt Zouma starts against Watford tonight. (Image: GETTY)
Moyes' decision will surprise and disappoint many, especially whilst Zouma is under police investigation for his actions.
A Surrey Police statement to the Evening Standard reads: "Enquiries are underway after we received an allegation earlier today (February 8), in relation to an animal being abused at an address in north Surrey.
"The allegations were received after a video emerged over the weekend showing a cat being ill-treated.
"We are currently liaising with the RSPCA with a view to carrying out a joint investigation into the matter. Enquiries remain ongoing and we will provide further updates in due course."
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West Ham themselves have condemned Zouma's acts of animal cruelty, stressing they have taken the matter 'very seriously'.
A club statement read: "West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of 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."
"In the meantime, we would like to make it completely clear that we in no way condone any form of cruelty towards animals and take this matter very seriously."
Kurt Zouma has faced massive backlash for the cat video. (Image: GETTY)