Tottenham Hotspur have suspended Yves Bissouma from their upcoming Premier League match against Leicester City on Monday after a video surfaced showing the midfielder inhaling laughing gas. Despite Bissouma's apology, in which he admitted to a "severe lack of judgement," the club decided to take disciplinary action.
Bissouma, 27, shared a video on social media on Saturday where he was seen inhaling from a balloon. Possession of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or NOS, has been illegal in the UK since 2023, with offenders facing up to two years in prison.
Tottenham’s 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’s going to have to work hard to earn that trust back."
Postecoglou emphasized that while the door remains open for Bissouma, the midfielder must recognize that his decisions impact more than just himself. "Hopefully, this situation will help him make better choices moving forward," the coach added.
Bissouma, who transferred to Tottenham from Brighton for £30 million in 2022, played 45 minutes in a friendly match against Bayern Munich on Saturday, shortly before posting the controversial video.
Reflecting on the incident, Postecoglou said, "I’ve been in this game a long time, and when situations like this arise, I try to see them from different perspectives. In this case, Biss made a really poor decision, and there are consequences. Some of those consequences include education."
The Tottenham boss expressed disappointment in Bissouma's behavior, acknowledging both the legal and professional ramifications. "There’s a personal side to this because it’s illegal, but there’s also a professional responsibility. As a footballer, you’re setting an example. We’re in a privileged position, and with that comes responsibility," Postecoglou said.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Postecoglou believes in the possibility of redemption. "Everyone makes mistakes, and there should always be an opportunity for rehabilitation and redemption, even for footballers. That’s up to Biss now."