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A key Tottenham midfielder has been forced to issue a slavish apology after filming himself inhaling laughing fuel and posting it on Snapchat.
Spurs star Yves Bissouma posted a video of himself inhaling nitrous oxide in a chauffeur-driven limousine and laughing between puffs on his private Snapchat account, which The sun have obtained.
The news comes just a week before Spurs begin their Premier League season at Leicester City on Monday night and will be an unwelcome distraction for manager Ange Postecoglou and Bissouma’s team-mates.
The 27-year-old Mali midfielder and former Brighton player issued a statement on Sunday night apologising for his “serious lack of judgement”.
Bissouma said: “I want to apologize for these videos. It was a serious lack of judgment.”
Spurs star Yves Bissouma posted a video of himself inhaling nitrous oxide on social media
The Tottenham star later apologised for the “serious lapse in judgement” in a lengthy statement.
“I understand how serious this is and the health risks it entails, and I also take my responsibility as a footballer and role model very seriously.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur told The Solar: “We are investigating the events.
“This will be treated as an internal matter.”
Possession of fun fuel with intent to use it for recreational purposes was made illegal in the UK last year.
Nitrous oxide, known as “hippie crack,” is found in large canisters used to fill balloons that are inhaled for a quick “high.” Its use carries a number of risks, including heart attacks, strokes and brain damage. Deaths have occurred among users.
In November, the law was changed to make nitrous oxide a Class C controlled drug. Possession for inhalation is now considered a criminal offence, although a conviction is unlikely unless there appears to be a desire to supply others.
The new super-sized canisters can deliver 80 times the routine dose, and can be purchased online for a relatively cheap price, as long as the buyer confirms they are over 18 and will be used for food production.
There are concerns that its use is so widespread among Premier League footballers that routine drug tests are unlikely to detect its presence.