"He needs to build that trust back" - Tottenham boss Postecoglou confirms Yves Bissouma suspension after laughing gas incident
Ange Postecoglou has confirmed Yves Bissouma is suspended for Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League opener. The player has been penalized by the club after he made a post on social media where he could be seen inhaling laughing gas.
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, supposedly slows down the nervous system and induces calm. However, it has numerous side effects, including headaches and nausea.
Addressing the incident, Postecoglou said (via Fabrizio Romano on X):
"We've suspended Bissouma from Monday's game. He needs to build that trust back with both me and the group. The door is open for him but behaviour is crucial."
Bissouma will, hence, miss Spurs' trip to the King Power Stadium on Monday (August 19). Signed for a reported £30 million from Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer of 2022, he has been a regular part of Tottenham's first-team setup.
Postecoglou clearly saw him as a fixed starter in his debut season in north London, and the only league games he missed were either due to international duty or suspension. He currently has 56 appearances across competitions at Spurs, split equally between his two seasons at the club.
Tottenham Hotspur star Yves Bissouma apologized for laughing gas social media post
Yves Bissouma issued a public apology after the incident, labeling it as a lack of judgment on his part. The Tottenham Hotspur star also took responsibility for his actions and acknowledged the health risks involved.
His statement read (via BBC):
"I want to apologise for these videos. This was a severe lack of judgment. 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."
As per the aforementioned source, possession of Nitrous Oxide is a crime in the United Kingdom since 2023 and could result in a two-year prison sentence. No such punishment has been levied on the Mali international so far.
Despite Bissouma's suspension and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg being loaned out to Olympique de Marseille, Spurs have ample depth in defensive midfield. Pape Matar Sarr, Oliver Skipp, new signing Archie Gray, and Rodrigo Bentancur can all play in that position against Leicester City.