Former Sheffield Wednesday keeper Chris Kirkland clears up comments on Kurt Zouma cat kicking video

Former Sheffield Wednesday keeper took to Twitter to clear up comments made over Kurt Zouma cat kicking video.
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Chris Kirkland, an English football coach who was a professional goalkeeper for Sheffield Wednesday from 2012-2015, posted a video to Twitter on February 9 to clear up comments made about Kurt Zouma.

West Ham defender Kurt Zouma has been widely criticised by professional footballers after a video emerged on Snapchat of him drop kicking his pet cat at his home.

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Zouma quickly apologised, but Surrey police confirmed that an investigation into the incident was underway.

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In an interview on BBC Breakfast, Kirkland suggested that Zouma, who was signed by the Hammers for £29.8 million last summer, should be sacked. He added that the animal abuse shown in the video was ‘worse’ than racism.

Kirkland’s comment caused a backlash across social media, with some suggesting that it downplayed the serious issue of racism in football.

One Twitter user said: “I’m translating this as Chris Kirkland respects cats more than black people.”

Over 80,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted amid a growing backlash over his treatment of his pet cat. Adam Davy/PA Wire.Over 80,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted amid a growing backlash over his treatment of his pet cat. Adam Davy/PA Wire.
Over 80,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Kurt Zouma to be prosecuted amid a growing backlash over his treatment of his pet cat. Adam Davy/PA Wire.
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Another said: “I can’t believe what Chris Kirkland said. Animal abuse is bad, but worse than racism?! There’s no flipping respect.”

In a video posted to Twitter on the morning of February 9, Chris said: “I know lot of people seem to be offended, and I totally understand.

“I mentioned racism about if players have been banned before. I know it said I said it’s possibly worse than that but what I meant was, animals can’t defend themselves. They’ve not got a voice.”

Chris Kirkland in action for Sheffield Wednesday Chris Kirkland in action for Sheffield Wednesday
Chris Kirkland in action for Sheffield Wednesday
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Kirkland added that racism was an “absolute disgrace” adding, “anyone who does that should be locked up.”

In the caption of the video, Kirkland wrote: “Hopefully this clears the @KurtZouma @WestHam situation up with my comments, absolutely nothing was meant by my comments.”

It emerged that Zouma could face up to four years in prison in France, where he is from, after a legal complaint was filed against the player in Paris.

Sports broadcaster Gary Lineker also took to Twitter to criticise both Zouma and West Ham coach David Moyes for continuing to play him.

Lineker tweeted: “Shocked and appalled that @WestHam played Zouma last night. A tone deaf decision.”