Michael Olise risks jail if he brings banned item back to France after World Cup
France star Michael Olise could risk a jail sentence if he returns to the country with a banned item which has been in his locker.
Olise starred at his first ever World Cup, with five assists as Les Bleus reached the semi-finals.
Tipped to go all the way by many, Didier Deschamps' side came unstuck against European champions Spain - who beat them 2-0 in Dallas courtesy of goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
Les Bleus do still have another game to play before their quest in North America is finished, as they take on the other losing semi-finalist in the third place play-off on Saturday.
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Olise could yet add to his World Cup assist tally - equalling the record set by Pele in 1970 when he set up six goals for Brazil.
The Bayern Munich star needs to tread carefully when it comes to his journey home, however.
That's because The Sun say Olise could find himself in hot water if he returns to France with oral nicotine pouches.
France banned item Michael Olise showed in his World Cup locker
The pouches, of which Velo is the biggest supplier, are extremely popular among footballers. They are placed under the lip and a few years back, the PFA commissioned a research project with Loughborough University to explore the usage and perceived health and performance effects of legal tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
In a study, players reported using the products to relax socially and manage stress, with Dr Michael Bennett, Director of Player Wellbeing at the PFA, saying that the pouches are effectively "a coping mechanism to handle the growing demands of the game" but that "many are not fully aware of its effects and addictive qualities".
While they are legal in the United States and in England, it is not the case in France - who Olise elected to play for due to his Franco-Algerian mother.
On April 1, tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches were banned by French authorities.
The law was announced in September 2025 and came into play in spring - with the products illegal to possess, import, sell or even manufacture.
Zyn, another nicotine pouch brand, confirmed that "even if you are a tourist or purchased the product outside of France, bringing it into the country is illegal and may carry severe penalties".
An article on their website also states that "tight border control will form part of this prohibition, with French customs intercepting, seizing and destroying products sent via mail or brought by tourists".
Anyone caught smuggling the products through French customs could face up to three years in prison as a punishment.
The only exception to the law is products which are considered medicinal.
The pouches were spotted in Olise's locker near his designer wash bag in a pot after he posted a picture on Instagram prior to the round of 16 win over Paraguay.
Olise will have to ensure he leaves the pouches in the US for when France head home back home.
France are involved in the third place play-off in Miami on Saturday and are then expected to fly home after the fixture, which will be Deschamps' final match in charge.
Deschamps, who won the World Cup as both a captain and manager, is set to be replaced by France legend Zinedine Zidane.
Topics: Michael Olise, France, FIFA World Cup
Josh Lawless