Kurt Zouma could be dropped from France squad as Didier Deschamps condemns ‘unacceptable and intolerable’ cat abuse

Kurt Zouma’s place in France’s World Cup squad is in doubt after the defender was widely condemned for kicking and slapping his pet cat.

The shocking video circulated online this week and has led to an investigation by the RSPCA with his two cats were taken into the care of the charity.

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West Ham fined him a reported £250,000, but still selected him for their Premier League game against Watford this week.

Zouma apologised after the video emerged, while more than 280,000 people have signed a petition calling for the 27-year-old to be prosecuted.

Didier Deschamps has become the latest person to speak out about the incident, suggesting that the incident may impact his selection for the France national side.

Zouma has made 11 appearances for his country after first making his debut in 2015.

“I was very surprised on Kurt’s part,” said Deschamps in an interview with France 3.

“It’s unacceptable, intolerable, cruelty without name.

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“These images are shocking and intolerable.”

On the potential implications for Zouma’s selection, France boss Deschamps said: “I’m not a prosecutor, I’m here to make selections based on other criteria.

“It has happened that when players have made mistakes I leave them out for a while. I won’t change my way of progressing for the next list.”