West Ham United have "unreservedly condemned" Kurt Zouma after a video emerged of the France defender hitting his pet cat.
The video shows 27-year-old Zouma kicking the cat across the floor and slapping it in the face.
He has apologised and the club say they will deal with the incident internally.
"I want to apologise for my actions," the centre-back said in a statement. "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.