West Ham United striker, Michail Antonio, has risen to the defence of his teammate Kurt Zouma who has been facing cancel campaign since a video showing him kicking and slapping his cat surfaced online.

There has been growing outrage by the day, with many calling for the player to be jailed and for West Ham to sack him. 

Antonio, who was asked today by a Sky Sports News reporter to comment on the issue, said, “I’ve got a question for you – do you think what he has done is worse than racism?

“I’m not condoning a thing that he has done. I don’t agree with what he has done at all. But, there are people that have been convicted and caught for racism and have played football afterwards.

“I have got to ask this question to everyone now – is what he has done worse than what the people have done that are convicted for racism?”

The French defender has been fined by his club and had his cats taken away by an animal care charity in the UK. He has also lost his personal kit sponsorship by German kit manufacturer Adidas, with his clubside losing a sponsorship deal from a Florida based tourism company.

Before the present sanctions were meted out, the former Chelsea player has come out to apologise for his behaviour.

“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.”