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sports Diahuebs 10 Februari 2022

West Ham fines Zouma for animal abuse, player turns in cats

(AP) — West Ham fined steps taken in the initial stage West Ham said.
defender Kurt Zouma of the process, including de-
two weeks’ wages and the livering his family’s two cats The club reiterated “our con-
player relinquished cus- to the RSPCA for assess- demnation of Kurt’s actions”
tody of his two cats as part ment,” the Premier League and said the matter is being
of an animal-abuse inves- club said Wednesday. handled “with the utmost
tigation on Wednesday. seriousness.” It added that
“Kurt is extremely remorse- it won’t comment further at
The 27-year-old France in- ful and, like everyone at the this stage while RSPCA in-
ternational has apologized for club, fully understands the vestigates “in a fair and thor-
kicking and slapping a cat in depth of feeling surround- ough manner.”
abuse caught on video and ing the incident and the need
posted on social media. for action to be taken,” West The RSPCA confirmed on
Ham’s statement added. Wednesday, amid growing
Wages weren’t disclosed but public calls for Zouma to be
British media reported the The club said that apart from prosecuted for animal cru-
fine to be over $300,000. the RSPCA’s investigation elty, that it has custody of the Zouma started for West Ham video went viral online and
“and pending further sanc- cats. in a 1-0 victory over Watford are leading the investigation.”
The Royal Society for the tion once the outcome of that on Tuesday night, hours after
Prevention of Cruelty to An- process is determined” it has “The two cats are now in the club had initially con- West Ham was under pres-
imals took custody of Zou- fined Zouma “the maximum RSPCA care. Our priority is demned the defender’s ac- sure from sponsors. Vitality
ma’s two cats while it inves- amount possible” — which is and has always been the well- tions. said Wednesday it was sus-
tigates the incident. two weeks’ wages. being of these cats,” the orga- pending its sponsorship as
nization said in a statement. The RSPCA said it was the club’s official wellness
“Kurt and the club are co- “The player has immediately “They’ve been taken for a “grateful to everyone who partner and would talk to
operating fully with the in- accepted the fine and has re- check-up at a vet’s and then expressed their concern for West Ham “to understand
vestigation and the player has quested that it is donated to will remain in our care while these cats. We were dealing what actions they will be tak-
willingly complied with the animal welfare charities,” the investigation continues.” with this issue before the ing to address the situation.”

With NBA trade deadline looming, Nets, Lakers weigh options

(AP) — Kevin Durant still One of those opportunities would have entered the day sprained his left knee, an in- are seeded, and that may be
can’t play, Kyrie Irving ends Thursday afternoon. five games out of the eighth jury that could keep him out true. But they have played so
still can only play part of and final Western Confer- until after the All-Star break. few games together in more
the time and the Brooklyn Some teams have already tak- ence playoff spot in the old With Irving ineligible to play than a year since Harden was
Nets have tumbled down en advantage, with the Cleve- format, but instead occupied in home games because he is acquired that simply relying
the standings. land Cavaliers, Los Angeles 10th and was trending up- not vaccinated against CO- on their superstars’ availabil-
Clippers and New Orleans ward. VID-19 as mandated by New ity is a risk.
With the NBA trade deadline Pelicans making trades that York City, it’s placed a heavy
looming, James Harden has could help them make play- The Trail Blazers had al- burden on Harden. He has Same with the Lakers, who
dominated headlines. off pushes. ready dealt Norman Powell missed the last three games won a title in 2020. But with
and Robert Covington to with left hamstring tightness James missing 17 games and
LeBron James and Anthony Of those teams, only the sur- the Clippers, who hold that and seemed frustrated be- Davis 21 this season, they
Davis have battled injuries prising Cavaliers are in what eighth spot but would be forehand. are under .500 through 55
and the Los Angeles Lakers would normally be a good dangerous no matter where games. Westbrook has been
have been inconsistent all playoff position at this point they are if Paul George and Harden can become a free benched at the end of some
season. in the season. But with coro- Kawhi Leonard can return agent after the season and games, but it’s hard for the
navirus pauses unsettling from injuries later this sea- there have been reports the Lakers to know if their ros-
In L.A., it’s Russell West- some teams earlier in the sea- son. Nets, instead of risking los- ter makeup is their problem
brook in the news. son and the play-in keeping ing him for nothing, could when they’ve had so few
hopes alive for later, teams Even the Sacramento Kings, trade him to Philadelphia in chances to see it.
Now the expected NBA Fi- that may otherwise have con- who fired coach Luke Wal- a package for Ben Simmons,
nals contenders who instead sidered themselves out of ton and were 15 games un- who has sat out all season. But Even if those big names aren’t
may be play-in round bound, contention may still believe der .500, were still only a coach Steve Nash said Sun- dealt, there could still be reli-
face a decision before Thurs- they’re in the running. couple games out of a play- day that the Nets wouldn’t able players available.
day’s deadline: Stand pat with in spot when they agreed to trade the All-Star guard.
the belief that all they need That seemed to be the case a deal with Indiana to have Toronto acquired Goran
to save them is the rosters in New Orleans, where the two-time All-Star Domantas Nash said Tuesday he didn’t Dragic when it lost Kyle
they already have, or make a Pelicans acquired CJ McCol- Sabonis packing his bags for expect a different version of Lowry to Miami but the vet-
move? lum from Portland on Tues- California. the Nets after Thursday. eran point guard hasn’t been
day to strengthen a team that playing for the Raptors. In-
The teams in seventh through “Honestly, I think we’ll be diana’s trade of Caris LeVert
10th place in each conference exactly the same,” he said. “I to Cleveland followed by the
qualify for the play-in, giving think the chances of trades or deal with the Kings could
themselves an opportunity to deals happening before the prove a willingness by the
win their way into the post- deadline are so slim, especial- Pacers to keep dealing.
season. ly for our group. So my mind
and attention is on this group The Cavs were thrilled to
The Nets were never expect- and putting this thing togeth- add LeVert, who the Pac-
ed to be there. er as guys become healthy ers had acquired last January
again and trying to build it for in the multiteam trade that
Yet they have fallen to eighth the stretch run.” landed Harden in Brooklyn.
in the East after falling 126- The Nets haven’t turned into
91 to Boston on Tuesday for The Nets may believe that the powerhouse that was ex-
their ninth straight loss. Durant, Harden and Irving pected, leaving the East race
are good enough to lead them wide open without a clear-
They are 2-10 since Durant to a title no matter where they cut favorite.