Adidas, a German sportswear company, has been chastised on Twitter for withdrawing the sponsorship of West Ham and French defender Kurt Zouma after he posted a video of himself kicking a cat on social media.
Zouma, a French player, came under criticism on Monday after sharing a video of himself kicking a cat in his London residence. He has faced condemnation from his club, West Ham United, and other animal rights organizations after the video aired.
Zouma was also fined £250,000 by West Ham United, which will be donated to animal charity organizations.
In addition, almost 150,000 people have signed an online petition demanding that Zouma be charged with abusing the cat.
Zouma has subsequently apologized, but Essex Police have not.
Adidas confirmed on Wednesday, February 9 that their collaboration with the French defender had come to an end.
Adidas stated, “We have completed our inquiry and can affirm Kurt Zouma is no longer an Adidas contracted athlete.”
“No animal should be subjected to harsh and unnecessary abuse,” the sportswear business has previously stated.
Below is a video of Zouma striking his cats.
Following the announcement, netizens have decided to boycott the German brand. As a matter of fact, livid Africans and ‘blacks’ across the world have accused the brand of racism and have begun to set their ‘Adidas’ product ablaze.