Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports / Getty
Topics: Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur, Football, Premier League, Yves Bissouma
Ryan Smart
Topics: Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham Hotspur, Football, Premier League, Yves Bissouma
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou held nothing back when asked about a video of midfielder Yves Bissouma that showed him appearing to inhale nitrous oxide.
Possession of nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - for recreational use has been a criminal offence since last year, when the former Conservative government graded it as a Class C drug controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
Spurs midfielder Bissouma posted a video to his Snapchat account on Sunday which showed him appearing to inhale nitrous oxide from a balloon.
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The Mali international later apologised for his actions, stating: "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."
Spurs did not respond to comment when approached by SPORTbible, but a club spokesperson told The Sun that the matter would be dealt with 'internally'.
Now, Postecoglou has addressed the matter for the first time - and confirmed that Bissouma has been suspended by the club for their Premier League season opener at Leicester on Monday.
He said: "I've been in the game for a long time. When a situation like this arises, I've tried to look at them in a couple of ways.
"First there as a person, and it's Biss, and he's made a poor decision.
"There are still sanctions involved, and some of those are educational. He is a footballer with responsibilities.
"He won't be available on Monday. We've suspended him from Monday's game.
"He needs to build that trust back with both me and the group. The door is open for him and we can help him realise the decisions he makes impacts the group."
When asked about how Bissouma can build back that trust, Postecoglou replied: "Behaviour, mate. It's that simple. It's about making better decisions.
"He was very apologetic to me, the club and everyone involved, but that's just part of it."