Michael Olise could face jail time if he brings a banned item back to France after the World Cup.
France’s star player Michael Olise could face legal trouble if he brings a banned item back to the country that’s been found in his locker.
Olise shone during his first World Cup, setting up five goals as Les Bleus reached the semi-finals. Many thought France might win it all, but they lost 2-0 to European champions Spain in Dallas, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro.
France still have one more game—the third-place match on Saturday—where Olise could add to his World Cup assist total. If he does, he’ll match the record set by Pele in 1970, who set up six goals for Brazil.
However, the Bayern Munich player needs to be careful when going home. According to The Sun, Olise might get into trouble if he brings oral nicotine pouches back to France.
These pouches, popular with footballers and made by brands like Velo, are placed under the lip and are tobacco-free. A few years ago, the PFA worked with Loughborough University to study their use and effects. Players said they help them relax and handle stress, with Dr. Michael Bennett from the PFA calling them a coping tool for the pressures of the game, though many don’t fully understand their addictive nature.
While these pouches are legal in the US and England, they are banned in France—where Olise plays internationally due to his Franco-Algerian background.
Since April 1, France has banned these tobacco-free nicotine pouches, a law announced in September 2023. Now, it’s illegal to have, import, sell, or make them.
Zyn, another pouch brand, warns that bringing these into France—even as a tourist—is illegal and could lead to serious punishment. French customs are strict and will seize and destroy any pouches they find in mail or luggage.
Smuggling these items can result in up to three years in prison, though there’s an exception for medicinal products.
Olise’s pouches were spotted in his locker near his designer wash bag in a photo he posted on Instagram before France’s round of 16 win over Paraguay.
He’ll need to leave the pouches in the US before heading back to France. After their third-place game in Miami on Saturday, France is expected to fly home. This will be the last match under coach Didier Deschamps, who won the World Cup both as a player and a manager.
Deschamps is set to be replaced by French legend Zinedine Zidane.