Tottenham Hotspur have suspended Mali international Yves Bissouma for their Premier League opener against Leicester City on Monday after the 27-year-old was pictured inhaling laughing gas over the weekend.
Bissouma uploaded a video on social media, showing himself inhaling laughing gas from a balloon, which has been a criminal offence in the United Kingdom since 2023 and can result in a two-year prison sentence.
Although the Malian tendered an apology earlier in the week, citing a “severe lack of judgement,” Tottenham announced on Thursday that the midfielder will not be a part of the team for their coming fixture.
“We’ve suspended him from Monday’s game,” Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said during his pre-match conference Thursday.
“Beyond that, there’s also some trust-building that needs to happen between Biss and me, as well as Biss and the group. That’s what he needs to work hard at from now on – to try to win that back. He’s going to have to earn that.
“The door is open for him and, hopefully, we can help him realise the decisions he makes impacts more than just him.
“Hopefully, it allows him to make better decisions moving forward.”
Bissouma joined Tottenham in June 2022 from Brighton and Hove Albion, and he has since played 56 times for the North London club. He made 28 appearances in the Premier League last season and has yet to open his account for Spurs.
Tottenham will kick off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a visit to the King Power Stadium to face newly promoted Leicester City on August 19.
