Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur Handed a Lengthy 7-Match Ban Over Racist Remarks About Son

18 Nov 2024 ScoreWaves Staff view

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The English FA has decided to punish Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur by handing him a seven-match ban after the 27-year-old made a racist remark about South Koreans while talking about Son Heung-Min during a televised interview. While Bentancur has apologized publicly – and more importantly, to Son – the FA has still decided to punish the Uruguayan.

In a statement, the FA said that Bentancur “acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’… as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.” The infamous incident took place in June, during a televised interview ahead of the Copa America, Bentancur tried to make a joke when a reporter asked for a jersey from one of his Spurs teammates. The reporter asked, “Can you get me the shirt from the Korean?" to which Bentancur asked, “Sonny?” and the journalist said, "Or any other champion?” Bentancur replied, "Or any cousin of Sonny, they all look more or less the same!"

Bentancur later apologized via his official Instagram account and stated that he would never intentionally hurt or harm Son. In response, the South Korean captain graciously accepted the apology, stating, “We are brothers, and nothing has changed at all. We’re past this, we’re united, and we will be back together in preseason to fight for our club as one.” Despite Son’s acceptance, the FA has handed Bentancur a seven-match ban and an independent commission has also imposed a fine of 100,000 pounds. However, the sanction can be appealed. Besides the seven-game ban and the 100,000 pound fine, the FA has also instructed Bentancur to attend a “face-to-face education program.” The course should be completed by 11th March 2025. “If the player fails to complete the program satisfactorily in that period, he will be immediately suspended from all domestic club football until such time as the mandatory program is completed,” the FA said.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s suspension comes at the worst possible time for Tottenham, as they are about to embark on the busiest period of the season. Bentancur will miss key Premier League matchups against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, and Liverpool, along with the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Manchester United. Thankfully for Spurs, Bentancur remains eligible for Europa League action, so Ange Postecoglou will still be able to call on him for the clashes against Roma and Rangers. He will next be available for Spurs domestically when they face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Boxing Day. So, can Tottenham cope with the lengthy absence of Rodrigo Bentancur?

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