Bentancur suspended for seven matches over alleged racial slur

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been slapped with a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association (FA) following an alleged racist comment made about his teammate, Son Heung-min, during a TV interview. 

The 27-year-old was charged by the FA in September over an incident that occurred in his home country of Uruguay.

The former Juventus player had been asked in June about a Spurs player’s shirt, to which he responded, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”

Bentancur, who has also been fined £100,000 ($126,000), later apologized to Son, the South Korean international. However, the comment was deemed an “aggravated breach,” leading an independent regulatory commission to review the case.

The commission decided to uphold the FA’s charge, resulting in Bentancur’s ban.

The panel upheld the charge and Bentancur will have to sit out Tottenham’s next seven domestic fixtures, though he will be able to play in Europa League matches against Roma and Rangers.

The FA said in a statement that it was alleged that the incident constituted an “aggravated breach… as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent regulatory commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing,” it added.

Son, speaking in late September, said: “He apologised straight afterwards when we had holiday. I was at home. I didn’t even realise what was going on. He sent me a long message and you could feel it was coming from his heart.”

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said Bentancur had acknowledged his mistake and had pleaded for leniency.

Bentancur will not return to domestic action until December 26, missing Premier League matches against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool as well as Tottenham’s League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.