Ferdinand urges West Ham to make Zouma ‘limp’

Rio Ferdinand claims West Ham should have doled out more than a £250,000 fine to Kurt Zouma for the abuse of his pet cat.

Zouma released a statement apologising for his actions after a video of the horrific abuse went viral, with the club responding with a £250k fine.

READ MORE: Zouma’s animal cruelty puts West Ham under a harsh spotlight

But West Ham and David Moyes were criticised for starting Zouma against Watford and will now drop him for their clash with Leicester on Sunday.

And Ferdinand believes fines should be a secondary punishment for Premier League footballers.

Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “Looking at it, is £250,000 going to really affect the millionaire footballers that we have today? Probably it’s going to be a dent but it’s not going to make him limp.”

Adding if being dropped by West Ham will have more of an effect: “But, is missing a game going to affect him?

“Yes it will more than the financial implications because then it affects his team-mates and the environment, position in the league.

“So, the way you deal with these players, I think monetary is secondary when you look at these situations.”

Questions have been asked of David Moyes for handing Zouma a start after the video had emerged, with the Hammers boss insisting that it was a football decision.

Ferdinand said when asked if they had made a mistake: “I think in hindsight we’re all geniuses and everything seems a lot clearer when you look back at a situation, ‘if I had read it like that.’

“West Ham didn’t have the time but in that situation you still have to be decisive and you have to show leadership and clear clarity with what you do.

“I think if they look back I don’t think they realise the uproar that would surround this situation.”

Zouma had said in his own statement: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.

“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.”