Kurt Zouma and his brother Yoan have been charged by the RSPCA, under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act, after the pair were involved in an awful video last month.
In the video Kurt was heard laughing as he hit, kicked and chased the cat around his living room, before it went viral after being posted on social media.
“Following a full and thorough investigation, we have started the process of bringing a prosecution against Kurt Zouma and Yoan Zouma under the Animal Welfare Act,” a statement said.
“The two cats continue to be cared for by the RSPCA. We will be in a position to release more information once a court date is confirmed.”
The club initially condemned the player but he was in their starting XI just hours after their statement, in a game against Norwich City.
He has continued to play since the story first broke, but has been followed by songs and booing from rival fans throughout the matches, and even a message on an airplane.
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is defined by five needs, including the ‘need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.’
People falling foul of the law under section four, unnecessary suffering, can be liable of ‘imprisonment up to a year, or up to five years if convicted on indictment, or a fine up to £20,000 or both.’
The two Zouma brothers will find out their fate in the near future.