Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma has issued an apology and acknowledged a “severe lack of judgment” after a video surfaced of him inhaling nitrous oxide.
In the video, posted on social media on Saturday, Bissouma can be seen using a balloon filled with the Class C drug commonly known as laughing gas.
The 27-year-old Mali international is expected to undergo an internal investigation by the club and may face disciplinary action.
Since 2023, recreational use of nitrous oxide has been classified as a criminal offense in Britain, with potential imprisonment as part of the Government’s anti-social behavior measures.
“I want to apologise for these videos. This was a severe lack of judgement,” Bissouma said in a statement on Monday.
“I understand how serious this is and the health risks involved, and I also take my responsibility as a footballer and role model very seriously.”
A Tottenham spokesman added: “We are looking into the events. This will be dealt with as an internal matter.”
It is possible to use the gas for legitimate reasons, such as in catering for pain relief during labour.
Bissouma, who transferred from Brighton to Tottenham in 2022, has appeared in 56 matches for the club, including 26 starts during the 2023/24 season.
He participated for 45 minutes in Tottenham’s friendly match against Bayern Munich on Saturday, which served as their final warm-up before the Premier League season opener against Leicester on August 19.