West Ham United

West Ham United defender Kurt Zouma issued an apology Tuesday after a video was posted showing him kicking and slapping his pet cat.

Ben Leo and Andy Robinson of The Sun published the footage, which was originally posted on Snapchat by Zouma's brother. Jacob Whitehead of The Athletic provided the Premier League player's statement:

I want to apologise for my actions. 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. They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.

The Hammers released a statement saying they would handle the matter internally.

"West Ham United unreservedly condemns the actions of our player, Kurt Zouma, in the video that has circulated," the club said. "We have spoken to Kurt and will be dealing with the matter internally, but we would like to make it clear that we in no way condone cruelty towards animals."

A spokesperson for England's Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also gave a statement to The Athletic.

"This is a very upsetting video. It's never acceptable to kick, hit or slap an animal, for punishment or otherwise," the spokesperson said. "We are so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering to us and we would like to reassure people we will always look into and, if necessary, investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare."

London's Metropolitan Police told The Sun it doesn't plan to investigate the video.

Zouma signed with West Ham in August after spending the previous seven years with Chelsea, a tenure that included loan stints with Saint-Etienne, Stoke City and Everton. He started his senior club career with Saint-Etienne in 2011. He's also made 11 appearances for France's national team.

The 27-year-old center back has played 14 matches across all competitions for the Irons this season, including Saturday's FA Cup win over the Kidderminster Harriers.

The Premier League announced Thursday it has postponed five weekend matches amid COVID-19 outbreaks.

Manchester United’s fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion this weekend has been postponed by the #PL Board today

It is the League’s intention to continue its current fixture schedule where safely possible

Full statement: https://t.co/47IkXOXx8T pic.twitter.com/C9MDuiYaHU

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2021

The #PL Board has postponed a further four matches due to be played this weekend because of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases

Full details: https://t.co/9rUcsajUAj#SOUBRE | #WATCRY | #WHUNOR | #EVELEI pic.twitter.com/NeoGSHSF6t

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 16, 2021

Saturday's affected matches are Manchester United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion, Southampton vs. Brentford, Watford vs. Crystal Palace and West Ham United vs. Norwich City, while Sunday's match between Everton and Leicester City was also postponed.

Manchester United, Brentford, Watford, Norwich City and Leicester City all don't have a sufficient number of players available because of COVID-19 protocols. All except for Norwich have closed their training grounds.

The recent changes come after Manchester United's game against Brighton on Saturday was already postponed, along with Leicester City's match Thursday against Tottenham.

The Premier League announced on Wednesday that they are changing protocols as a result of the increase in positive tests around the league, which include 42 players over the past week. The changes include a requirement for fans to show proof of vaccination and a negative test in order to enter matches.

There will also be COVID-19 symptom status checks while fans will be urged not to travel if they have symptoms.

The postponements could lead to scheduling issues as the season progresses, especially with some clubs falling behind on matches. Tottenham have completed just 14 league matches, three fewer than some others in the EPL.   

Liverpool and Chelsea secured the last two Premier League berths in next season's UEFA Champions League during Sunday's final matches of the 2020-21 EPL campaign.

Manchester City, the previously crowned Premier League champions, and Manchester United had already clinched their UCL tickets in earlier weeks.

Leicester City and West Ham United, who finished fifth and sixth in the table, respectively, will head to the Europa League group stage for the 2021-22 season, while Tottenham Hotspur earned seventh place and will take part in the Europa Conference League playoff round.

The day started with a three-team race for the final two Champions League berths. Chelsea held a one-point advantage over Liverpool and Leicester.

While the Blues' 2-1 loss to Aston Villa left the door open for both chase clubs to leapfrog them in the standings, only the Reds took advantage. Liverpool scored a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, but the Foxes allowed three goals in the final 20 minutes in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Spurs.

The victory by Ryan Mason's side was crucial in their own pursuit of European football next season as Arsenal scored a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, which would have pushed the Gunners into seventh place if Spurs didn't make their comeback against Leicester.

Let's check out the full list of results from Sunday's action:

And breathe 😅 pic.twitter.com/AJXvCksnhA

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 23, 2021

And here's a look at the final Premier League table:

The 2020/21 #PL season: ✅ pic.twitter.com/n34hMYHwHi

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 23, 2021

Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United were the relegated clubs.

Spurs' Harry Kane finished the season with both the most goals (23) and assists (14) in the league. It's just the third player in history to lead the Premier League in both categories, joining Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (1998-99) and Andy Cole (1993-94), per ESPN Stats & Info.

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson paced the EPL with 19 clean sheets.

The 2021-22 Premier League season is scheduled to get underway Aug. 14. The fixtures will be released June 16.

West Ham United announced Tuesday manager David Moyes, center back Issa Diop and midfielder Josh Cullen tested positive for COVID-19.

The three are asymptomatic and will begin adhering to health and safety protocols laid out by government officials and the Premier League.

West Ham went ahead with Tuesday's Carabao Cup match against Hull City. Assistant manager Alan Irvine assumed Moyes' duties in the interim.

Diop and Cullen were both named to the starting XI against Hull, forcing the club to quickly identify replacements:

There have been some late changes to our line-up tonight.

Issa Diop and Josh Cullen will be replaced by Harrison Ashby and Jack Wilshere in the Starting XI. David Martin is also now named among our substitutes.https://t.co/DAuCGvyES3

— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 22, 2020

West Ham will return to Premier League action Sunday against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Leyton Orient's Carabao Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur Tuesday was called off after the club confirmed Monday "a number of our first-team squad" tested positive for COVID-19.

According to the Guardian's Ben Fisher, it's unclear whether Leyton will have to forfeit the match or be allowed to reschedule at a later date. The latter will be difficult with Tottenham's already busy schedule and the fact the Carabao Cup's fourth round is slated for next week.

The United Kingdom government was tentatively planning to allow for the return of fans at sporting events on a limited basis starting Oct. 1. However, the BBC's Dan Roan reported a spike in COVID-19 cases across the U.K. has shelved those plans and that fans may not be permitted to enter stadiums until at least late March.

West Ham United manager David Moyes has said the club is in danger of losing star midfielder Declan Rice this summer amid speculation Manchester United are tracking the player.

Rice has made impressive strides in recent seasons at London Stadium and is a fully fledged England international. However, the Hammers have toiled this term and are facing up to a relegation battle in the remaining weeks of the Premier League season; they started Week 26 in 18th in the table, a point behind 17th-place Aston Villa.

Moyes was asked about the 21-year-old ahead of West Ham's trip to Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and said he's hopeful the club can do enough to keep him around beyond the summer, per the Metro:

"In my mind he is arguably the best holding midfield player in the country and the best thing about Declan is he will get better. Declan is carrying a lot of the team at the moment and he's the one who will carry on from Mark Noble when it comes to an end for him.

"Quite often when building a club you have to sell. I hope it's not the case with Declan but I said the same with Wayne Rooney and Joleon Lescott [at Everton]. But the team got better because we were able to sign the right players to replace them. If that ever came around [Rice leaving] I'd hope we'd be able to do the same here as well."

According to Craig Hope the Daily Mail, United hold a serious interest in Rice, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly sending his personal scout to watch the midfielder in action in January.

While Rice's form has dipped this term, he's shown enough in his career to suggest he will be around at the top level for a while. Defensively, the England international is alert to danger. Rice is capable of covering ground quickly, winning tackles and positioning himself to make interceptions, meaning he can provide an effective shield to a defence.

This season, he's been surrounded by a number of underperforming players. In a more consistent team and a more cohesive setup, Rice would surely up his game.

The Red Devils have struggled in midfield this season, although they spent an initial £46.6 million in January to draft in Bruno Fernandes to improve their creative options. Rice would solidify the base of the midfield, although if West Ham stay up, they will surely do all they can to keep him in the capital.

Marseille coach Andre Villas-Boas has said he can't rule out a transfer for Dimitri Payet after reports linking the player with a switch back to West Ham United.

According to FootMercato (via Sport Witness), the Portuguese manager said Payet remains one of his most important players, but he doesn't know if the former Hammer will return to the Premier League:

"Dim is not transferable. He knows it, we have a special relationship, he also knows the importance he has for the team. After that, it's not only the position of the club, that of the player also counts. I read what came out in L'Equipe and in England today. I don't know if it's true, we have to be ready if it happens. There are a lot of parameters to take into account: the offer for the club, for the player... I don't think it's going to happen. We will wait."

Payet became a cult hero during his 18 months at West Ham before embarking on a second spell with the Olympians.

Marseille have recently appointed former West Ham chief executive Paul Aldridge as an advisor to club president Jacques-Henri Eyraud. Aldridge has been reportedly tasked with selling players to English sides, per Sport Witness.

According to Jordan Seward for Mail Online, Villas-Boas said he learned of Aldridge's appointment in the press and was not consulted by Eyraud.

Villas-Boas arrived at Marseille last May after 12 months with Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League.

TalkSport presenter Adrain Durham said Payet would improve West Ham's current squad:

"All the fans are getting really angry about the Payet link."

"He's better than what you've got!" ⚒️

"Why wouldn't you want him back?" 🤔@talkSPORTDrive on a possible #WHUFC return for Dimitri Payet. pic.twitter.com/NOK43WktP9

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) January 23, 2020

Sky Sports reported on Thursday the rumours of a potential transfer for Payet back to West Ham are inaccurate, stating there has been no contact between the two clubs.

The Hammers dismissed coach Manuel Pellegrini in December, replacing him with former boss David Moyes. The club are flirting with the relegation zone and are 17th on goal difference above Bournemouth.

Payet, 32, surprised many with his performances in England, but West Ham fans remember the circumstances of his departure in 2017.

West Ham openly criticised the France international after agreeing to sell him to Marseille for £25 million. Payet said he no longer "felt well" at the Hammers, prompting his decision to exit, per BBC Sport.

Moyes needs reinforcements in January in order to direct his team to safety. Three victories in their last 10 in all competitions suggests there's potential to exploit, but consistency has been a recurring issue at the London Stadium.

Payet might be a useful short-term addition, but West Ham need a creative spark beyond the current campaign.  

West Ham United defender Issa Diop has said he has doesn't have a defined "career plan" amid speculation linking him with a move to Chelsea or Manchester United. 

The centre-back arrived at West Ham in the summer of 2018 and made an impressive start to life with the London club, quickly cementing his place as the team's best defender.

Unsurprisingly, rumours of interest from elite clubs have started to surface. When asked about the reports by France Football (h/t James Westwood of Goal), Diop made it clear he's taking things slowly at this stage in his career:

"As a footballer, we know that we are subject to a lot of rumours, which is more during the transfer window. After that, I focus on my football, trying to progress everyday training and being good at matches. That's all. I don't have a career plan. I just want to be the best player I can be.

"I live a little day by day. What has to happen will happen. And if it doesn't happen ... I just want to be efficient, that's all."

According to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News, Tottenham Hotspur also want to sign the defender, although West Ham are said to value him in the region of £50 million:

Spurs want to sign West Ham centre back Issa Diop. José Mourinho singled him out for praise when he was in charge at Man United. Diop hasn’t played for almost a month. West Ham don’t want to sell the 22-year-old. In today’s market he would be valued at more than £50m

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) December 21, 2019

In the summer, it was reported that United were ready to test West Ham's resolve to keep Diop, although they eventually spent big on the acquisition of Harry Maguire from Leicester City.

This month, the Blues have also been noted as an interested party, with Chelsea said to be ready to part with £40 million to secure his signature.

Given he's still just 23 years old and only moved clubs at the start of the previous season, it's not a surprise that Diop doesn't seem to be in any major rush to move clubs. In his debut term, he was crucial to any victories the team did enjoy, as evidenced by the following figures:

West Ham: With and without Issa Diop in the Premier League last season

Full player statistics -- https://t.co/pYn9x4Xevt pic.twitter.com/nzVC4ueOVS

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) June 16, 2019

The second season has been more of a struggle for the Frenchman, with West Ham toiling in the Premier League. Defensively they have lacked consistency, while in central midfield there is little protection provided to the back four by the likes of Mark Noble and Declan Rice.

In the right kind of setup, Diop has shown himself to be a capable centre-back though. And while he may not be pushing for a move yet, if he does eventually join a high-profile outfit, his dynamism off the ball and smart use on it would see him fit in well.

West Ham will need to improve their position in the Premier League if they are to keep players like Diop. They are 16th in the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone.

West Ham United announced the appointment of David Moyes as their new manager on Sunday. 

The news came via the club's official Twitter just a day on from the Hammers' decision to part company with Manuel Pellegrini.

We are pleased to confirm that David Moyes has returned to the Club as first-team manager. pic.twitter.com/Y2fxo5hTCE

— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 29, 2019

Moyes expressed his delight at returning to the club:

"It's fabulous to be back. It feels great to be home. I've missed being here because I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed being around the stadium and I loved being in this part of the world and I missed the club, so I can't wait to get started.

"I'm feeling very proud that I'm back here at West Ham. But I think more importantly I'll be looking to see what I can do and what I can make improvements to, how we can get some wins with the players and how we can get some quick wins on the field as well.

"I do believe that the squad of players I've got here is a better squad of players than when I took over before, so I am looking forward to working with them.

"I think there's got to be a short-term goal for us just now to get the wins to get us away from the wrong end of the league and what we're going to do over the next six months, then what we're going to do over the next period as well. The start is really focusing on the immediate games."

Pellegrini was given his marching orders on Saturday night, with a 2-1 loss to Leicester City earlier that evening leaving the team in the midst of a relegation battle. West Ham are in 17th in the Premier League, just a point ahead of Aston Villa in 18th.

Moyes, a former Manchester United and Everton manager, takes over at London Stadium for a second time and finds the club in similar circumstances to those at the start of his first spell.

The Scotsman took over in November 2017 with West Ham in the relegation zone. Moyes was able to steer the team to a 13th-placed finish, although the decision was made to part ways at the end of the campaign.

Per Oddschanger, despite helping West Ham out of trouble, Moyes' overall record doesn't compare favourably to that of Pellegrini's:

📊 David Moyes record at West Ham:

‣ Games: 31
‣ Wins: 9
‣ Draws: 10
‣ Losses: 12
‣ W/R: 29.03%

📊 Manuel Pellegrini's record at West Ham:

‣ Games: 64
‣ Wins: 24
‣ Draws: 11
‣ Losses: 29
‣ W/R: 37.5%#WHUFC ⚒ pic.twitter.com/7nZ9F6YfVv

— 🎯 Tommy's Darts Tips (@TommysDartsTips) December 29, 2019

The 56-year-old has not been employed since leaving the Hammers in May 2018. He was strongly linked with a move back to Everton earlier in the campaign, but the Toffees appointed Carlo Ancelotti instead.

While a number of those supporters who frequent London Stadium will view the appointment as underwhelming, Jacob Steinberg of the Guardian defended the job Moyes did during his first spell in charge:

Lots critical of Moyes’s low win percentage at West Ham. Context? Kept them up. Took over an unfit side in bottom three, playing in front of a disgruntled crowd at an athletics stadium. Squad was unbalanced and limited and he didn’t get to strengthen in January.

— Jacob Steinberg 🎗️ (@JacobSteinberg) December 29, 2019

Football writer Daniel Storey thinks that going back to Moyes represents a failure from those at the top of West Ham:

To be in the top 20 clubs in the world for revenue and have to appoint David Moyes to save your season once is careless. To do it twice is negligence. West Ham are a club under anti-leadership.

— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) December 28, 2019

The club has invested heavily in the playing squad, with the likes of Sebastien Haller and Pablo Fornals arriving last summer. However, Pellegrini struggled to get the team playing with intensity, incision or organisation.

It will be fascinating to see whether Moyes can fare any better; while he's experienced, since doing a fine job at Everton, he's struggled in all of his managerial roles since.

Manuel Pellegrini has left West Ham United following Saturday's 2-1 loss to Leicester City, ending his run as manager.

The club announced the news shortly after the loss:

West Ham United can confirm that Manuel Pellegrini has left the Club with immediate effect.

— West Ham United (@WestHam) December 28, 2019

Joint-chairman David Sullivan thanked the tactician for his work and explained why the decision was made before the turn of the year:

"It is with great disappointment that we've had to make this decision. Manuel is a gentleman and it has been a real pleasure to work with someone of his calibre.

"However, it has become clear that that a change is required to get the club back on track in line with our ambitions this season. We felt it was necessary to act now in order to give the new manager as much time as possible to try and achieve that goal."

Saturday's loss to the Foxes kept the Hammers in 17th place, just one point above the relegation zone. The poor showing in front of the home fans continued a trend:

7 - Under Manuel Pellegrini this season, West Ham have won fewer points at home than any other side in the Premier League (W2 D1 L6); the Hammers have also lost four consecutive home Premier League games for the first time since January 2006. Hammered. pic.twitter.com/zdJyjOGnyo

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 28, 2019

Pellegrini's fate had seemingly been hanging by a thread for weeks, and while a shock win away to Chelsea on November 30 bought him some time, four more losses in the next five matches put the Hammers in a deep hole.

The Chilean joined the east London club in 2018 after a spell with Hebei China Fortune. He guided West Ham to 10th place in the Premier League during his first season, but a major regression has hit the side.

Pellegrini previously won the Premier League title with Manchester City in the 2013-14 season.

Pr BBC Sport, it's unclear who will manage the team when the Hammers face fellow Premier League strugglers Bournemouth on New Year's Day.