West Ham face an unwanted distraction around what would be their biggest game in decades with defender Kurt Zouma’s court date set for the week after the Europa League final.
Zouma is due to appear at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on May 24 after being prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act. The Europa League final in Seville is on Wednesday, May 18.
The RSPCA announced their intention last month to bring a prosecution against Zouma, 27, who was filmed kicking and slapping his pet cat.
The footage, which went viral on social media in February, was filmed by his brother, Yoan, the Dagenham & Redbridge player.