Tottenham seeks reversal of Bentancur’s FA ban

Tottenham Hotspur has lodged an appeal against the seven-game ban imposed on midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur by the Football Association (FA).

The suspension, announced on Monday, sidelines the Uruguayan international from six Premier League matches and a League Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester United.

The 27-year-old was charged with misconduct in September following comments he made during a June television interview in Uruguay.

His remarks, which referenced the race of teammate Son Heung-min, were deemed an aggravated breach of the FA’s rules on discrimination.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Tottenham expressed dissatisfaction with the severity of the punishment, signaling their intention to challenge the decision.

The club emphasized their commitment to addressing the situation fairly while standing by their player.

The appeal process is expected to draw significant attention, as the incident highlights ongoing efforts to tackle racism and promote inclusivity in football.

“While we accept the guilty finding against Rodrigo by the independent regulatory commission, we believe the subsequent sanction is severe,” the club said. “Rodrigo will remain suspended from domestic competitions while the appeal is heard, and the club will make no further comment during this time.”

The incident arose when Bentancur, asked during the interview to display a teammate’s shirt, joked, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”

Bentancur apologized to Son on Instagram, acknowledging his mistake. Son, the South Korean captain, accepted the apology, emphasizing their strong relationship.

“I’ve spoken with Lolo (Bentancur). He made a mistake, he knows this, and has apologized,” Son wrote. “Lolo would never intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers, and nothing has changed at all.”

In addition to the suspension, Bentancur was fined £100,000 ($126,000). The disciplinary panel noted that it should have been “reasonably foreseeable” to Bentancur that his remarks would be widely shared. While acknowledging his sincere apology and previously unblemished record as mitigating factors, the panel maintained that the punishment reflected the seriousness of the offence.

The outcome of Tottenham’s appeal will determine whether the Uruguayan midfielder’s suspension is reduced.