After the group stage match against Iraq in 2026 FIFA World Cup, French footballer, Michael Olise is at the center of a controversy over his use of snus.
The Frenchman provided two assists for France during a 3-0 routine win over Iraq as France qualified for the knockout stage play-off round.
The Bayern Munich forward has been outstanding across the tournament as he currently leads the assist charts with three alongside Swedish forward Alexander Isak.
In recent hours, however, attention has shifted to an item spotted in Olise’s locker in France dressing room: a box of nicotine pouches aka snus, particularly the peppermint flavour from VELO.
Snus is a moist, smokeless tobacco and tobacco-free nicotine pouches are placed orally between the gum and lip.
Many athletes use them to help manage stress, ease anxiety, and improve on-field focus.
Although Nicotine pouches are not currently banned by FIFA, Snus is legally prohibited in most European Union countries, including France and Germany, which has fueled the current controversy.
These pouches allows nicotine, typically synthetic, to be absorbed through the oral mucosa.
Unlike Swedish snus, they do not contain tobacco and are therefore classified as a “white” nicotine product.
They also contain excipients such as cellulose, salts, sweeteners and each pouch typically contains between 5 and 20 milligrams of nicotine and delivers its effects for between 20 and 60 minutes.
Although they contain neither tobacco nor involve combustion, they remain potentially addictive.
Despite containing nicotine, many experts defend these products as a lower-risk alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Nevertheless, nicotine consumption can have health consequences. According to the report, using a 6 mg pouch has been shown to increase heart rate by an average of 10 beats per minute.
Scientific studies have also linked nicotine use to increased insulin resistance and, consequently, a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Numerous professional football players, particularly in the Premier League and international scenes, have been caught using or have openly admitted to using snus and tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
Here are some famous football players who has been caught using it:
The former Leicester City striker, Jamie Vardy, made headlines when he was pictured carrying a tin of snus on England duty at Euro 2016 and openly admitted using it to relax in his autobiography.
The Aston Villa defender Victor Lindelof is Swedish, where snus is a cultural staple, and has shared photos of his favorite products online.
Former Aston Villa player Bertrand Traore (left) and Newcastle’s Mark Gillespie were both seen appearing to place something in their mouths during Premier League games in 2023
Manchester United forward, Marcus Rashford, was spotted holding containers of nicotine pouches during a holiday in Saint-Tropez, a few years back
The French striker and Ballon d’Or winner, Karim Benzema, has been routinely reported by European sports media as a known snus user.
Ultimately, whilst nicotine remains legal from an anti-doping perspective, there is no policy incentive for players to change their behavior. Instead, Snus use should be treated as a matter of professionalism, like alcohol and smoking, with concern concentrated on player health and team performance.
Overall, 18 % and 22 % of male and female footballers reported using snus, rising to 42 % and 39 % respectively for lifetime use. Snus use was also initiated and motivated by factors including socialization and boredom too.
Since it’s not banned by FIFA, Olise will not likely get any problem regarding the controversy.
France will play against Norway on 26 June to decide the group champions. The Frenchman has started training alongside with his national teammates for the exciting match to be played.
