2024-11-22 11:52:55
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association after using a racial slur about teammate Son Heung-min during a televised interview in Uruguay.
The FA also fined the player £100,000 and ordered him to attend a face-to-face education programme.
In a statement, the FA said: “Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent regulatory commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.”
The incident occurred in June when Bentancur joked about Son while being asked about a Tottenham shirt.
He replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Bentancur later apologised on social media, describing his remarks as a “very bad joke”.
He also personally apologised to Son, who said he did not believe Bentancur meant any harm.
The FA determined the comments constituted an aggravated breach of its rules by referencing nationality, race, or ethnic origin.
A regulatory panel found Bentancur’s conduct “clearly abusive and insulting” despite arguments from Tottenham his remarks were sarcastic and directed at the journalist.
The panel rejected this defence, stating it “flies in the face of the evidence” and noted his remorse appeared genuine.
Ben Davies, Bentancur’s Spurs teammate, said the squad had “put a line under it and moved on”, but added: “It’s important that we realise these kinds of things need to be looked at with the seriousness that it has been.”
Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out welcomed the decision, stating: “It’s important we all recognise and report this type of discrimination when it happens.”
Bentancur’s ban, which runs until 26 December, means he will miss key Premier League fixtures and the League Cup quarter-final.
He remains eligible for Europa League matches.
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