Tottenham player could face punishment after claims of nitrous oxide misuse

Tottenham Hotspur may discipline Yves Bissouma for the third time in 18 months following another off-field incident.

The Mali midfielder has reportedly been filmed again using a nitrous oxide balloon—the second time such footage has emerged during his Spurs career. A club spokesperson told PA: “We are looking into the matter and it will be handled internally.”

Bissouma was previously suspended for one match by the club at the start of last season, missing the 1-1 draw with Leicester City after he posted a video of himself using the same substance. The latest footage surfaced just hours after a pre-season game against Bayern Munich.

After the first incident, Bissouma apologised, admitting poor judgment and acknowledging the seriousness of the health risks as well as his responsibilities as a professional athlete. Nitrous oxide was classified as a Class C drug in 2023, making recreational possession illegal.

Despite the controversy, Bissouma played a major part in Tottenham’s Europa League final victory later that season, producing a strong defensive performance. However, he was disciplined again at the start of the current campaign.

New manager Thomas Frank, who took over from Ange Postecoglou after the Bilbao triumph, dropped him for the UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG due to repeated lateness in pre-season. Frank noted that while players deserve support, there must also be firm expectations and consequences.

Bissouma’s season has also been disrupted by multiple injuries, including one picked up while on duty with Mali.