New Delhi: Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches by the Football Association (FA) after making a racial slur about his teammate Son Heung-min during a TV interview.
The incident occurred in June on Uruguayan television when Bentancur was asked if he could provide a Tottenham teammate’s jersey. He responded by asking if they would like the jersey of captain Son Heung-min. Bentancur then added that the jersey could be “the cousin of Son because they are more or less all the same.”
The FA charged Bentancur £100,000 on 12 September and brought the case before an independent regulatory commission. Despite denying the charge, the commission found the case proven and imposed a seven-match ban following the hearing.
🚨⛔️ Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a 7 game ban for using a racial slur about Son!
Plus a £100,000 fine for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.
He can still play in the Europa League for Tottenham — NO domestic games allowed. pic.twitter.com/yWV65x8goS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 18, 2024
The 27-year-old will now be available for Spurs until Boxing Day on December 26 but he will still be available for club’s +Europa League match. The seven games he is set to miss include-
Manchester City vs Tottenham – November 23
Tottenham vs Fulham – December 1
Bournemouth vs Tottenham – December 5
Tottenham vs Chelsea – December 8
Tottenham vs Southampton – December 15
Tottenham vs Manchester United (Carabao Cup) – December 19
Tottenham vs Liverpool – December 22
The FA charged the Uruguay international with “an alleged breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct related to a media interview.” According to the FA, this constituted an “aggravated breach” as it included a reference, either direct or indirect, to nationality, race, or ethnic origin.
Bentancur later apologized to Son, stating that he “never intended to say anything offensive.” Speaking about the incident earlier this season, the South Korean revealed that he holds no grudge against Bentancur and has accepted his apology.
The Uruguayan footballer has featured in 15 games for Tottenham this season and scored his first goal of the campaign in a defeat to Ipswich Town on 11 November.
The midfielder got punished for TV remarks about his teammate and is set to miss domestic matches but remains eligible for European fixtures. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
