Midfielder Yves Bissouma is suspended for Tottenham Hotspur’s 2024 Premier League season opener against Leicester City on Monday in Leicester, England. Photo by Vince Mignnott/EPA-EFE
Aug. 15 (UPI) – Tottenham Hotspur have suspended midfielder Yves Bissouma for Monday’s match against Leicester City after he posted a video on social media of himself inhaling laughing gas, manager Ange Postecoglou told reporters on Thursday.
“I’ve been in the business for a long time and every time situations like this arise, I try to look at it from different angles,” said Postecoglou. “First, there is a person involved, in this case Yves, and he made a really bad decision.”
“You want to understand that and try to help him. And we as a club have to do everything we can to make sure he doesn’t make decisions like that in the future.”
Bissouma posted the video on Snapchat. He apologized for the incident earlier this week.
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a Class C drug in the UK and recreational use is punishable by law. It is intended to lower inhibitions.
It is unclear whether Bissouma will face charges. In the UK, he faces a two-year prison sentence for the offence.
“I would like to apologize for this video,” said Bissouma. “It is a serious mistake on my part. I understand the seriousness of the situation and the health risks involved and I also take my responsibility as a footballer and role model very seriously.”
Spurs face Leicester City in their Premier League season opener on Monday at 3:00 p.m. EDT at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England.
“He will not be available on Monday,” said Postecoglou. “We have suspended him for Monday’s game. In addition, trust still needs to be built between Biss and me and Biss and the group.”
“He’ll have to work hard from now on to get that back. It’s nothing to do with one game. He might get a one-game suspension, but he’ll have to earn it.”
“The door is open for him and hopefully we can help him realise that his decisions affect more than just himself and enable him to make better decisions in the future.”
Bissouma, 27, left Brighton for Spurs in 2022. He has also played for Lille in France’s Ligue 1 and for Malian club Real Bamako. He has made 37 appearances at senior level for the Mali men’s national team.
Spurs host Everton in their second Premier League game in London on Saturday at 10am.
