Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma has been suspended for one game following a controversial incident involving the inhalation of nitrous oxide. The 27-year-old, who had a problematic disciplinary record last season, found himself in hot water once again, but this time due to his behavior off the pitch. The incident, which came to light earlier this week, shows Bissouma inhaling nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” from a balloon in a video posted on his private Snapchat account.
Nitrous oxide, a substance increasingly popular among younger demographics, has been classified as a Class C drug in the United Kingdom since 2023, and its recreational use is now illegal. The use of this substance can lead to a range of harmful effects, including damage to the throat and lungs, and it can also cause paranoia, dizziness, and hallucinations. The recreational use of the gas has been a growing concern in the UK, especially among young people, and carries a potential prison sentence of up to two years.
Bissouma has since apologized for what he described as a “severe lack of judgment.” Tottenham Hotspur responded by suspending him for their opening fixture of the season, a match against Leicester City. Tottenham’s head coach, Ange Postecoglou, was clear in his condemnation of Bissouma’s actions, stating that the player had made “a really poor decision” and that there would be consequences.
Postecoglou’s Take on Bissouma’s Conduct
Ange Postecoglou, who has been tasked with guiding Tottenham back to their best form, emphasized that Bissouma’s actions not only reflected poorly on him but also betrayed the responsibility he holds towards his teammates, the club, and their supporters. “He has a responsibility to his teammates, to our supporters, and to everyone associated with the club — and he failed in those duties,” Postecoglou said.
The club’s response to Bissouma’s behavior involved not only the suspension but also educational measures to help him understand the seriousness of his actions. “There are still sanctions that are involved, and some of those sanctions include education and giving him a clearer understanding of why he did what he did and how wrong it was,” Postecoglou added.
However, Bissouma’s situation also highlights a larger issue within football: the responsibilities of professional athletes, especially those who are role models for young fans. According to UK government data, nitrous oxide use has been particularly prevalent among individuals aged 16 to 24, making Bissouma’s actions even more significant in the context of setting an example for impressionable fans.
Contrasting Responses to Player Misconduct
While Bissouma’s suspension signals that Tottenham is taking a strong moral stance on his behavior, the club’s response to another recent incident involving midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur raises questions about consistency. Earlier this summer, Bentancur made racially insensitive comments towards his teammate Son Heung-min during an appearance on a Uruguayan television show. Bentancur remarked that Son and his cousins “all look the same,” sparking controversy and outrage, especially given Son’s prominent role as Tottenham’s captain and a star of South Korea’s national team.
Although Bentancur apologized for his remarks, describing them as a “joke in bad taste,” many felt that his response downplayed the seriousness of the situation. Son, for his part, accepted the apology and described Bentancur as “a brother,” adding that the issue was resolved between them. However, critics argue that such incidents should not be left solely to the victim to resolve and that clubs need to take stronger action in such cases.
Bentancur’s racist comments have not yet led to any visible disciplinary action from Tottenham, and the club is reportedly waiting to see if the Football Association (FA) will charge Bentancur before deciding on their next steps. This lack of immediate action contrasts sharply with the swift punishment handed to Bissouma, leading some to question the club’s approach to handling different forms of misconduct.
The Role of Racism in Football
Bentancur’s comments highlight the ongoing issue of racism in football, which has long plagued the sport at both player and fan levels. Anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out reported a 33.2 percent increase in incidents of abuse during the 2023-24 Premier League season, with 54 percent of those incidents involving racism. This rise in racist behavior mirrors larger societal issues, and football, as one of the world’s most popular sports, is often a focal point for both progress and regress in this area.
Son Heung-min has been the target of racist abuse in the past, and Tottenham’s own fans were involved in an incident during a 2023 match against Crystal Palace, when one supporter made a racist gesture towards Son. That fan was subsequently banned from attending football matches for three years, signaling that the club has, in some instances, taken a hard line against racism.
In the case of Bentancur, however, the club’s delayed response and the fact that his comments were brushed off as a “bad joke” indicate that there may be inconsistency in how different forms of misconduct are addressed. While Bissouma’s behavior was irresponsible and harmful to his reputation, Bentancur’s racist comment has the potential to cause far more damage, especially given Tottenham’s large South Korean fan base. According to research commissioned by AIA, Tottenham’s shirt sponsor, nearly 12 million South Koreans support the club, representing almost a quarter of the country’s population.
Broader Implications for Accountability
Bentancur’s situation is not an isolated incident in the world of football. Earlier this summer, Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez faced criticism after a video surfaced of him singing a racist song about Black players in the French national team. Although Fernandez later apologized to his teammates and made a sizable donation to an anti-discrimination charity, many felt that this response was insufficient given the nature of the offense.
These incidents raise important questions about how football clubs should handle misconduct by their players, particularly when it involves racism. While education and apologies are important steps, there is a growing consensus that more tangible consequences — such as suspensions or fines — should be implemented to ensure that players fully understand the impact of their actions and the importance of setting a positive example.
Conclusion: A Call for Consistency
In the case of Yves Bissouma, Tottenham has shown that they are willing to take swift and decisive action when a player’s behavior falls short of the standards expected of them. His suspension sends a clear message that there are consequences for irresponsible actions, both on and off the field. However, the club’s response to Rodrigo Bentancur’s racist comments suggests that there is still work to be done when it comes to addressing more serious forms of misconduct.
As football continues to grapple with issues of racism and player accountability, it is crucial for clubs to adopt consistent approaches to handling such incidents. Bissouma’s one-game suspension is a step in the right direction, but Bentancur’s case serves as a reminder that more needs to be done to ensure that all forms of misconduct are treated with the seriousness they deserve.
