West Ham manager David Moyes said Kurt Zouma missed Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester due to sickness after he was withdrawn from the starting line-up minutes before kick-off, IgbereTV reports
The French defender had initially been named Moyes’ team despite fury in recent days over a video that showed Zouma physically abusing his cat.
Moyes has been heavily criticised for not dropping the 27-year-old.
However, he revealed it was ill health that kept Zouma out rather than a late change of heart by the club or player for him to start.
“Kurt was not well last night, was sick during the night, and did not eat with us today and stayed out of the meeting,” said Moyes.
“We did that just in case it was a Covid symptom but it has been sickness. He just could not make it and he was really desperate to play.”
Zouma has been fined the maximum amount of two weeks’ wages by the Hammers, reportedly around £250,000 ($340,000)
