AS THE months have passed and the controversy faded, the boos that once followed Kurt Zouma around the country have gradually become more infrequent, less impassioned, less intense. The counteracting "ZOOUUMS", meanwhile, have shed their essence of partisan defiance and morphed into something more jovial, unashamed, guilt-free.
In pitch, the two are similar enough to be almost indistinguishable. Their noisy contrast, though, speaks in microcosm to a footballer's quiet rehabilitation.
It was 16 months ago that Zouma's abhorrent treatment of his pet cat sparked widespread outrage, but as he sits down with Standard Sport for his first newspaper interview since, on the brink of capping something of a personal turnaround at West Ham with European glory, the sense of contrition remains.
"It's been a tough time for me and for my family," the defender says. "We've been through a lot. I made a mistake, I know I made a bad one. I have to say sorry again for what I've done, but life is about moving on."
West Ham fans were the first to do so, but forgiveness was hardly immediate, some even joining the jeers when Zouma turned out against Watford at the height of the storm.
These days, though, the deep, rumbling war cry that accompanies every header Fulham fans will be familiar with the Tim REAAAM equivalent tells of the way Zouma has been readmitted as a figure of near-cult appreciation at the London Stadium.
There is a debt for that support which he feels obliged to clear, Wednesday's Europa Conference League Final against Fiorentina earmarked as the obvious place to square accounts.
"It means a lot to me, hearing the fans scream my name," the Frenchman says. "It gives you extra motivation, you want to win every duel. I want to give it back by winning a trophy. That would be the best feeling."
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 01, 2023 من Evening Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 01, 2023 من Evening Standard.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Only £65k a month to live like Boy George
The Karma Chameleon singer listed his house for £17m in 2022, turning down offers. Now, he's looking for a tenant
Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe
We're flying far ahead of anywhere outside US for tech investment
Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase
Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings assess how the Spaniard will try to bring down Man City after he signs up for another three years with the title in his sights
Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side
Arsenal-City clashes take on a welcome edge of animosity
Whack the hippy gong-boho's back
It happened in Paris one grey February day. Sienna Miller was in an oversized, black leather jacket, lace-trimmed silk slip and clumpy great wedges.
There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?
As he was preparing his fields for seeding this year, Barry Sawchuk came across a giant slab of space debris. It had come from a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.
'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'
We speak to alt revolutionary DEEPAK CHOPRA about biomarkers, his digital twin and his work to save humanity from disease
I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life
Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati bring a potent, tragicomic chemistry to James Macdonald’s rich revival of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play.
Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant
To whom we turn in moments of gloom and glory can be instructive, a filter of our truest friends. I've fallen out with the Ritz a couple of times, including once after a visit to the bar which didn’t warrant a review (“But you said it was lovely!” they said.
'Healing is a dirty word'
After four traumatic years, FKA twigs is back with a new album -and a thrilling metamorphosis