West Ham vice Chairman Karren Brady has stated that the club are working hard behind the scenes to make sure good comes from a bad situation caused by defender Kurt Zouma this week.

Zouma, a £30m signing from Chelsea last summer, was filmed physically abusing his pet cat which has rightly caused outrage across the nation.

West Ham have fined Kurt the maximum wages and are working towards making sure this incident has a positive ending for all concerned, and Brady has issued details of what plans are being undertaken.

“This has been an extremely difficult and upsetting week for everyone involved with our Club,” said Brady.

“As our manager David Moyes has said, absolutely no one at West Ham United in any way condones or defends the actions that were seen in the video that was shared this week. Kurt Zouma’s behaviour was completely unacceptable and it caused great hurt to everyone associated with the Club.

“As a Club we took the decision to punish Kurt with the maximum fine possible, as the best way of ensuring that we could do some good, to make a tangible contribution in the support for animals that have been the victim of cruelty.

“Our team at the Foundation, who do such fantastic work across an enormous spectrum of community and charitable causes and programmes, are currently in the process of identifying the animal welfare charities we believe will benefit most from that financial donation.

“The RSPCA continue their investigation into the matter and we are supporting and co-operating with that fully, as is Kurt. It is important that we allow them to complete that process without distraction or interference.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contacted us to give us their views, both critical and in support of the Club’s actions. We understand that this is a subject that has generated a range of opinions and reactions, but it was important that we acted on the facts in front of us and in line with our relevant club policies.

“We are a football club with huge community values. One aspect of those values is our policy to offer rehabilitation and re-education to those who have committed offences – be it a player, member of staff or supporter – if they are keen to take that opportunity.

“I can assure all of our supporters and everyone associated with West Ham United that Kurt Zouma is absolutely willing to go on that journey. He has taken full responsibility for his actions, accepted punishment without reservation, and is eager for the chance to prove that he can learn from his mistake. I hope everyone in the West Ham family understands our decision to give him that chance.”