Cardiff City boss Sabri Lamouchi slams ‘absolutely stupid’ Connor Wickham as the player speaks out on that ‘laughing gas’ video of his.
Wickham uploaded a video in which he appeared to inhale laughing gas shortly after losing to his side’s rivals.
Just hours after the game, he posted a video, with others in a vehicle, showing him inhaling nitrous dioxide on a night.
This left many Bluebirds fans feeling annoyed, especially after being still angry from the team’s 3-2 loss to the Swans at the Cardiff City Stadium.
finished club pic.twitter.com/utAHIiEEzX
— 🏴⚽️ (@gabe_ccfc) April 1, 2023
Lamouchi stated on Thursday that the club was investigating the incident before deciding on sanctioning the 30 year old.
“First of all, it was absolutely stupid. Even if it is his birthday after the derby, to put this on Instagram… I spoke with him. He was absolutely devastated and sorry,” Lamouchi said, as per WalesOnline.
“He asked to apologise to the players, the fans, the club. I said to him we have a lot of problems to manage, so I don’t need more problems to create more tension, because we have only one goal – for me – to save the club and to play in the Championship next season. Because the club deserves it.
“We are where we are for many reasons, many mistakes, this was a big mistake. The club will make a sanction – or not – it’s for the club to decide. It was the wrong timing. It was absolutely stupid and he knows that.
“I can’t say it’s nothing. It was wrong, absolutely bad and in a bad moment.”
The UK government is making possession of Nitrous Oxide (aka laughing gas) a criminal offence due to “health and other harms”, according to Rishi Sunak.
Really strong from Lamouchi on Connor Wickham after video appeared to show him inhaling laughing gas. Brands it ‘absolutely stupid’ and says he should know better as senior player.
Is available for Blackpool. Said it’s for club to decide on any sanctions. https://t.co/DuHAioFkjF
— Glen Williams (@GlenWilliams12) April 6, 2023
The supply or production of the gas is already prohibited due to concerns about the possibility that excessive use could cause nerve damage.
It is still legal to possess the item. Lamouchi knew that if it crossed the border into criminality, Lamouchi would not be surprised if the club took a tough line.
“You need to find the balance between legal and illegal. It’s stupid,” he added.
“(If it was) Illegal and the club would take a radical decision. You don’t have any chance and you have to pay the consequence – but this is not the case.
“He apologised to the club, fans and in the locker room to me and the staff. It was a terrible weekend. But probably more with the scenario with Swansea rather than these stupid things.”
Lamouchi adds Wickham is available for the relegation six pointer against 23rd place Blackpool but reminded the player of his responsibilities as a senior player.
“He is not so young, he is a mature player,” the manager added.
“Our business is a different world. Unfortunately the mentality changes, social media is not what it was like 20 years ago.
“It is a dangerous image for themselves and for the club. But to make a career without any mistakes is also difficult.”
Wickham issued a statement on the video, which was doing the rounds online,.
“I’m obviously aware of a video circulating on social media,” wrote Wickham on Instagram.
“I know my responsibility as a professional.
“Playing for Cardiff City is a huge privilege, I’ve been so welcomed by you all and I will always give 100%.
“To lose the game the way we did yesterday hurt more than ever, even though you will feel it doesn’t seem that way to me.
“I hope you can all understand and I will do my best [to] help my team and this club to achieve the best possible outcome this season!”
This is what fans said as the Cardiff boss slams the ‘absolutely stupid’ Connor Wickham while the player speaks on the ‘laughing gas’ video…
@_El_1988: “I’m obviously aware of a video circulating on social media”.. you posted it big fella 😂
@Jimdj1987: Don’t care if he was bothered he’d not have done it in the first place
@markives7: Should have the sack 🤬
@JonTucker2_: Stupid thing to do but anyone actively thinking the club would sack him especially with the league position we are in… Well I’m afraid you are even more stupid
@ScottFuller_x: @ConnorWickham10 Not even an apology in here, sympathy statement at best. You should know that nitrous oxide is being banned by the government. Some role model for the young bluebirds you are 👌🏼✊🏼💦
@Anthony_Burns: Only regretting it now because he’s in shit
@tom_cymru00: In other words please please don’t sack me I need to buy more balloons for next weekend
@Lwki_: Piss off u edda 😂
@PH_LRich: It’s really dissapointing to read this when players & the club @CardiffCityFC have such a role in shaping individuals behaviours including young people across our communities. Looking forward to reading how this is proactively addressed by the club #PublicHealth
@spikeccfc: What an awful apology. He just gave his thoughts on the result 😂
@twmlew: People who think wickham should be sacked over this are an embarrassment. 😂😂😂😂
@MyOnlyCardiff: Great, draw a line under it now. Minor issue with the state of our club. We’ll need him between now and end of season #Bluebirds
@k49745: 🤣🤣 get him out of the club asap
@seehearandbe: Why get him out the club.Completely wrong what he did but he’s owned up and acknowledged it. How many footballers are doing that weekly? It’s there job, if it’s affecting their performance then no but if its “supposed” mate leakin then he should assess his friends
@ColinEvans1927: It may have been ill judged but he’s apologized, so let’s move on to the 8 cup finals we’ve got left this season. If you can’t move on there’s a caravan club that will suit you better about 45 miles west of us. BTW, jacks it’s a quadruple not double double you retards.
Connor Wickham in the managers office tomorrow pic.twitter.com/6U6FDNMCA5
— CCFCxCR47 🏴 (@CCFCxCR47) April 2, 2023
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