Cardiff City’s Connor Wickham has shared a video in which he appears to have inhaled laughing gas hours after playing Saturday’s home game against rivals Swansea City. The attacker posted the images to Instagram less than a week after the UK government announced plans to criminalize possession of nitrous oxide. The Bluebirds told WalesOnline they are investigating.

The former Sunderland star, who turned 30 on Friday, came on as a substitute in the South Wales derby, which the Swans won 3-2 with a 99th-minute goal from Ben Kabango. That night, Wickham posted an Instagram story, which no longer appears, in which he filmed himself breathing potentially dangerous gasoline in a vehicle with people dancing and singing to the music.

The video drew criticism from some Cardiff fans on social media. Fan Callan Mays wrote on his Central Club podcast Twitter page: “Lee Trundle, who attended tonight’s game, showcases the passion and spirit of the Jacks. Connor Wickham [laughing gas] Hours after a bad derby, the Bluebirds lack of care, quality and control is noticeable. Cardiff City. I’m speechless”.

Read more: Cardiff City 2-3 Swansea City: Kabango late strike gives visitors dramatic victory

Following the publication of this article, Wickham issued a statement on Instagram: “I am obviously aware of the video that has been circulating on social media. I am aware of my responsibility as a professional. Playing for Cardiff City is a great privilege, everyone has welcomed me very well and I will always give 100%. Losing a game like yesterday hurts more than ever, even if you feel like it doesn’t. I hope everyone understands and I will do my best. [to] help my team and this club to achieve the best result this season.”

Nitrous oxide, often called NOS, is usually sold in metal tins and is one of the most commonly used drugs by young people in the UK, reports the BBC. It is already illegal to produce or supply the gas due to its psychoactive effects, and just a few days ago the UK government announced that possession would also be banned due to concerns about the “damage to health and society” caused by the drug. Heavy use can damage the spinal nerves.

A Cardiff City spokesman said the club were “reviewing” the images posted by Wickham. The former England Under-21 striker, who has yet to score in five matches since joining Cardiff in February, came on for Sheya Ojo against Swansea in the 61st minute. In the match report, WalesOnline rated Wickham’s performance five out of 10 and wrote: “He helped Kabi with the target role when he came forward. But the players doubled and he had no opportunity to score”.



Connor Wickham is still framed

Footballers who have been criticized for allegedly using laughing gas include Mason Greenwood, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Leon Bailly, Saido Berahino, Alexandre Lacazette, Matteo Gendouzi, Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Last year, the drug was linked to the death of 29-year-old former Ajax striker Jodi Lukoki. According to the BBC, “Police said Lukoki died of natural causes: an infection of unknown origin, but likely brought on by months of suspected substance abuse when so-called laughing gas became anything but funny.”

The UK government’s position is at odds with the Drug Misuse Advisory Council, which recently recommended not to criminalize possession of nitrous oxide. But Improvements Secretary Michael Gove told the BBC: “We are doing this because if you walk through any park in the city you will see these little silver cans that show that people see public spaces as places for drug use. This is unacceptable. People need to feel that these places are looked after in a way that is safe for children.”

Some anti-drug charities have criticized the proposals. Steve Rolles of the Transform Drug Policy Foundation said: “The idea that this is a deterrent is ridiculous, it will only criminalize users and give control of the product to criminal groups. It’s just political theater: if you want any proof, just see that they ignored their own advisers. This is a particularly ugly example of performative politics.”

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