Self-styled voice of football Jeff Stelling has savaged West Ham over the decision to select Kurt Zouma for last night’s win over Watford.
West Ham were engulfed in controversy yesterday when video emerged of Zouma kicking and slapping his pet cat.
The Hammers condemned the Frenchman’s actions and the player apologised saying it was an ‘isolated incident’ that would ‘not happen again’.
His actions sparked a media storm with calls for punishments from across football and beyond.
As a result all eyes were on David Moyes’s squad selection for the crunch game against Watford.
The likes of The Evening Standard had reported in the build-up that Zouma looked set to be banished from the squad for that game at least.
But that was completely wrong as Moyes picked Zouma to start in the 1-0 win stating he was focusing on the football side and would let the Hammers board mete out any punishments to the player.
The decision prompted a huge backlash in the media and on social media.
And veteran Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling was one of many who had their say, sarcastically savaging West Ham on Twitter.
Voice of football Jeff Stelling savages West Ham over Kurt Zouma selection
“That’s certainly taught Zouma a lesson West Ham,” Stelling said on Twitter.
“He must be repentant now having suffered for so long before he wears the clubs shirt again!”
Stelling himself endured something of a backlash from Hammers fans and went on to say he ‘loved West Ham’ but has now lost a lot of respect for the club.
“There has to be punishment for Zouma,” Stelling added.
“It does not matter if he is the best or the worst player. It’s not all about football. It’s about behaving like a decent human being. I have loved West Ham but sadly lost a lot of respect I am afraid.
“It is not the fans.”
There was a case to suggest the saga had impacted the team given West Ham’s lacklustre display against a much-improved Watford side.
But Zouma was not far behind Jarrod Bowen in the conversation for man of the match and Moyes defended his decision after the game while condemning the player’s actions.
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