“Adidas didn’t cancel the Zouma contract because he kicked a cat, but because the cancellation is good publicity for them,” wrote one Twitter user.

Adidas has ended its sponsorship deal with fallen star Kurt Zouma after video footage of him abusing his pet cat went viral.

In the clip, the West Ham defender can be seen drop-kicking, chasing and slapping his Bengal cat around his house in London.

Consequenses

The clip, which has sparked a huge outcry, swiftly cascaded into a flurry of actions against the soccer player.

The RSPCA UK removed the two pet cats from Zouma’s care and will be in their custody while the investigation continues.

West Ham United Football Club, which signed the 27-year-old for £29.8 million, fined him a total of £250,000. In a following statement, it revealed that the money will be donated to animal welfare charities.

Apparel sponsor Adidas followed up the fine by cancelling its contract with the Frenchman which was understood to be worth £100,000 a year.

“We have concluded our investigation,” the company said in a statement, “and can confirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas contracted athlete.”

Adidas slaughters kangaroos for animal leather

Fans were quick to call out Adidas as being ‘hypocritical’ and making the incident a cause of ‘good publicity’ for the company.

This is because Adidas, which nullified the contract under the pretext of animal cruelty,  doesn’t bat an eyelid whilst using kangaroo skin to make its leather football shoes.

Every year, between 1.5 million and 5 million kangaroos are killed so that their skin can be turned into leather clothing and accessories, often called “k-leather.”

This leather is used by sporting goods companies, including Nike, Adidas, and Puma—frequently for bags, jackets, shoes, or soccer cleats.

‘Hypocrisy is the issue’

A Twitter user wrote: “2 million kangaroos are butchered every year to make football boots. Who will stand up for the thousands of kangaroos that had to die for @adidasUK to make some of their leather products? Or don’t Kangaroos deserve to live? #KangaroosLivesMatter !”

2 million kangaroos are butchered every year to make football boots. Who will stand up for the thousands of kangaroos that had to die for @adidasUK to make some of their leather products? Or don’t Kangaroos deserve to live? #KangaroosLivesMatter !

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) February 9, 2022

Another commented: “Kicking a cat is animal abuse but slaughtering animals isn’t. 2 million kangaroos are butchered every year to make football boots.

“Why not stand up for animals that had to die for @adidasUK to make leather products? Or don’t they deserve to be loved? U guys hypocrisy is the issue.”

Kicking a cat is animal abuse but slaughtering animals isn't. 2million kangaroos are butchered every year to make football boots.
Why not stand up for animals that had to die for @adidasUK to make leather products? Or don’t they deserve to be loved? U guys hypocrisy is the issue

— Rẹ̀mí Ẹnìkànéènọ́gbọ́n🌠 (@Remmymoses) February 10, 2022

 

A third added: “Adidas didn’t cancel the Zouma contract because he kicked a cat, but because the cancellation is good publicity for them.”

Adidas didn’t cancel the Zouma contract because he kicked a cat, but because the cancellation is good publicity for them.

— OSNON (@Lifematician) February 9, 2022

A fourth person’s comment read: “I can forgive Kurt Zouma of one incident of animal cruelty….not sure about forgiving Adidas for decades of human cruelty in Indonesian sweatshops though.”

#istandagainsthumancruelty
I can forgive Kurt Zouma of one incident of animal cruelty….not sure about forgiving Adidas for decades of human cruelty in Indonesian sweatshops though.

— Ero Adwa (@King_Kobalt) February 10, 2022

Is Adidas racist?

Some people even accused Adidas of racism.

In an earlier incident, Luis Suarez, a white Uruguayan footballer was only warned by Adidas after he racially abused Manchester United footballer, Patrice Evra.

“Adidas did not terminate Luiz Suarez’s contract when he was found guilty of making racist comments toward Patrice Evra. But they’ve terminated Kurt Zouma’s contract for kicking a cat,” wrote on user

“Maguire attacked police in Greece- he is still captain of ManU. Eden Hazard kicked a ball boy. Nobody said his life must be ruined. Louis Suarez bite the arm of Ivanovic. Adidas never cancelled his deal. But when a black man kicks a cat, We must totally destroy his life,” another added.

“Boycott #Adidas. What senseless hypocrisy is this against #Zouma?If we must defend animal rights – which I’m cool with – it must be holistic.Defend kangaroos too, horses whipped daily, sheep deprived of their furs, etc.Stop this selective outrage that smacks of racism,” a third commented.

Boycott #Adidas. What senseless hypocrisy is this against #Zouma?
If we must defend animal rights – which I'm cool with – it must be holistic.

Defend kangaroos too, horses whipped daily, sheep deprived of their furs, etc.

Stop this selective outrage that smacks of racism. pic.twitter.com/8AWXAFOxoG

— BlogEssence (@blogEsense) February 9, 2022

For Zouma’s part, the disgraced athlete issued a public apology and also apologized to his team-mates at their Rush Green training ground.

 It is understood that he will also be sent on an animal awareness course by his club as part of his punishment.

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