Tottenham Hotspur has suspended Yves Bissouma for their upcoming Premier League match against Leicester City. This decision follows the release of a video showing the midfielder inhaling laughing gas.
Despite Bissouma’s apology for his “severe lack of judgment,” the club took action after the video appeared on social media on Saturday, showing him inhaling from a balloon.
Legal Implications and Club’s Response
‼️🚨🔖 BREAKING: Spurs suspend Bissouma for Leicester game after footage came out of him inhaling laughing gas. https://t.co/mi06MJatY4
— Emrys (@UTDEmrys_) August 15, 2024
In the UK, possession of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or NOS, for recreational purposes has been illegal since 2023 and can lead to a two-year prison sentence. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou confirmed the suspension, stating, “We’ve suspended him from Monday’s game. Beyond that, there’s also some trust-building that needs to happen between Biss and me, as well as with the team. He needs to work hard to regain that trust.”
Postecoglou emphasized that Bissouma’s decisions impact more than just himself and expressed hope that this situation would lead to better choices in the future.
Bissouma, who joined Tottenham from Brighton for £30 million in 2022, played for 45 minutes in Spurs’ friendly loss to Bayern Munich on Saturday before the video was released. Reflecting on the situation, Postecoglou said, “There’s a person involved, and in this case, it’s Biss who has made a really poor decision. There are sanctions involved, which include education.”
He elaborated on Bissouma’s responsibilities as a professional footballer, stating, “He has a duty to the club, his teammates, our supporters, and everyone associated with the club, and he has failed in those duties, so there must be consequences.”
Postecoglou’s Perspective on the Incident
Expressing his disappointment, Postecoglou noted the personal and professional ramifications of Bissouma’s actions. “It’s illegal, and as a professional footballer, you set an example. Many people look up to players in the Premier League, and we are in a privileged position. He made a poor choice, but we all make mistakes, and there should always be an opportunity for rehabilitation and redemption for everyone, including footballers. That’s now up to Bissouma.”
