West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act, after appearing at a hearing at Thames Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 24.
Zouma was accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, by Section 4 Subsection 1 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Zouma found himself at loggerheads with animal protection agencies after a video of him slapping and kicking his cat on February 6 went viral.
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The viral video was filmed by his younger brother Yoan Zouma who also pleaded guilty to one count under the animal protection laws.
Yoan,24, was accused of aiding Kurt Zouma to commit the offence.
The Frenchman was released on unconditional bail and the case was postponed to June 1 for pre-sentencing reports.
The 27-year-old France international was dressed in a black suit and had his face covered his face as he hurried past photojournalists alongside two umbrella-carrying bodyguards as he arrived at the London court.
His two cats were put under protective custody on February 12 and Zouma has since surrendered ownership.
The incident cost the defender a partnership deal with sports apparel company Adidas and according to his legal team, he could miss selection by France ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Zouma has since apologized for the act in a regretful tone.
“I want to apologize for my actions. There are no excuses for my behavior, 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." pleaded Zouma to the magistrates.