Zouma's not the first sportsman involved in animal cruelty

Zouma’s not the first sportsman involved in animal cruelty

Kurt Zouma is not the first famous sportsman to be involved in animal cruelty case but the power of football has probably made him a bigger victim.

A Premier League footballer involved in such a situation is totally designed to send everybody into a frenzy but he can be assured that at some point it will calm down.

Take a look at Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath (pictured below) – one of the most famous and best fast bowlers the world has seen – boy was he good.

Suddenly his world came tumbling down when back in 2016 photos began to circulate of him on a safari hunt. The Australian was pictured posing next to dead animals including an African elephant.

McGrath poses with dead buffalo

Following the backlash he wrote on social media: “In 2008 I participated in a hunting safari in Zimbabwe that was licensed and legal but in hindsight highly inappropriate.

“It was an extremely difficult time in my life and looking back I deeply regret being involved.”

The Daily Star also reminds us that fellow sporting legend Hristo Stoichkov was anything but!.The ex-Bulgarian striker, who played for Barcelona, was spotted next to giraffes, zebras, and crocodiles he had shot.

McGrath issued a heartfelt apology – the Bulgarian was immensely quiet – Zouma should remember as George Harrison once sung: All things must pass.

We condemn him for it but it does seem he has become a victim like never before because of the massive popularity of the game of football.

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

3 comments on “Zouma’s not the first sportsman involved in animal cruelty”

ljd1980 February 10, 2022 at 8:22 pm Reply

Zouma may not be the first sportsman to be involved in animal cruelty, and let’s be fair, what he’s done is sickening, but not in same league as Glenn McGrath. He is, however, the only sportsman involved in this week’s act of animal cruelty not to be suspended by their club. The BBC are reporting that Dagenham have dropped Zouma’s pea-brained brother over his part in the filming of the abuse. Not the first time this week that West Ham have been taught a lesson by a non-league club, Hugh.
- Hugh5outhon1895 February 10, 2022 at 9:02 pm Reply
  
  I think it’s important to balance things as a journo ljd. Kick it out are criticising MA tonight saying racism and animal abuse can’t be compared
mooro66uk February 11, 2022 at 12:54 am Reply

I’m baffled as to why people think suspending Zouma would be punishing him.

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