Tottenham Hotspur have launched an investigation after Yves Bissouma was allegedly filmed inhaling nitrous oxide, with the footballer opening up on how a burglary has led to 'depression and paranoia'
Yves Bissouma has opened up on allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide in the wake of a series of burglaries which saw him lose a reported £1milion this summer.
The Sun last week published footage which alleged to show the 29-year-old inhaling laughing gas - otherwise known as nitrous oxide. In response, a Spurs spokesperson told the Press Association: "We are looking into the events and it will be dealt with as an internal matter."
It's not the first time that Bissouma has faced claims of inhaling nitrous oxide, with the 29-year-old, who joined the club from Brighton in 2022, banned by the Lilywhites in 2024. On that occasion, he apologised and explained that he had displayed a "severe lack of judgement."
The possession of nitrous oxide for recreational use has been a criminal offence in the UK since 2023, and can lead to a two-year sentence behind bars. Bissouma was dropped for repeated tardiness ahead of Spurs' Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain back in August, and is yet to appear under Thomas Frank as a result of respective knee and ankle injuries.
And now, Bissouma has explained how a recent break in has caused him mental health problems. He told the Sun: "I am sorry.
"This [latest break-in] broke something in me I didn't even know I could break. I apologise to the fans. The trauma added to my life - fear, panic, depression and paranoia."
Of the latest allegations, he added: "I feel really bad about it. I have to apologise. When the picture came out it affected me and everyone, especially my family.
"When my Dad saw it, he was panicking because he didn't feel good. I tried to make him understand that it's a hard image, but not who I am. I know it's not good for me, for my image, because I'm a professional football player."
Robbers made off with luxury designer watches and bags among other valuables in July, with footage taken by Bissouma showing empty cases lying on the floor as he said: "Look what they did. They come (sic) and robbed me."
"My watches...they robbed my watches. They robbed my jewellery. Like, it's actually crazy, like. What they did in my room is f***ing...I can't believe that. I just...Oh my god.
"Look at all of my watches. They took everything. They took my jewellery. They took my bags as well, like, everything."
Watches taken from Bissouma's home included a Rolex, an Audemars Piguet and a Patek Philippe - each of which can set buyers back hundreds of thousands of pounds. Elsewhere in his interview, Bissouma said: "I'm a strong person.
"I'm a mentally and physically strong African man. I've faced battles and storms before, but these incidents...they broke something in me I didn't even know could break. I've asked myself, 'Why me?', more times than I can count.
"I hate feeling like a victim, but what I lost wasn't just material. It was what the trauma added to my life - fear, panic, depression, paranoia, sleepless nights and a constant loss of trust. I don't want to talk about it [the balloon] anymore because it's over. But to the fans, I am very sorry."
Elsewhere, it was reported in November that Bissouma had more than £800,000 stolen from his VIP Coutts bank account, and that an individual had been charged. The alleged losses are said to have taken place between September 2022 and June 2024, with Bissouma sounding the alarm.
A source said of the midfielder: "This has been deeply hurtful for Yves. It's been a tough year for him on and off the pitch, and this hanging over his head will have contributed to that."