Rodrigo Bentancur: Tottenham midfielder hit with seven-game ban and fine over Son Heung-min racial slur during interview
Updated 22/11/2024 at 18:10 GMT
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Rodrigo Bentancur has been suspended for seven domestic matches after an independent Regulatory Commission found him to have committed an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3. The breach relates to a comment made by the Uruguayan about his Tottenham team-mate Son Heung-min. Bentancur denied the charges and made an apology to the South Korean after the interview was published by a Uruguayan journalist.
'The first thing is to accept it' - Bentancur notified about lengthy ban after Son comments
Video credit: SNTV
Rodrigo Bentancur is set for a spell on the sidelines after being banned for a racial slur made about Spurs team-mate Son Heung-min.
The incident happened while Bentancur was in his home country of Uruguay back in June. Bentancur issued an apology but was charged by the FA, and has now received a suspension.
The FA's statement read: "An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.
"It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he 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', which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, 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."
At the time, Bentancur was being interviewed in Uruguay and was asked about the various football shirts he owned.
Responding to the interviewer enquiring whether he had "the Korean's shirt", the Uruguayan asked "Sonny? Or one of Sonny's cousins as they all look more or less the same."
The independent Regulatory Commission found that this constituted an aggravated breach, the standard punishment for which is a suspension between six and 12 matches.
Bentancur argued that the comment was "sarcasm and a gentle rebuke" of the interviewer's reference to Son by his nationality, which was found to be irrelevant by the Commission.
The Uruguayan apologised on X the day after the interview was posted, and issued a more extensive apology and explanation on Instagram the week after.
“Sony brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke! You know what [sic] I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you brother! @hm_son7," read the post on X.
Bentancur posted on Instagram: “I would like to communicate to all fans and everyone who follows us that after my interview where I referred to Son and no one else, I have spoken to him and, logically given our deep friendship, he understands it was only an unfortunate misunderstanding.
"All has been clarified and solved with my friend. If someone felt offended because of my words through this media tool I would like to offer my sincere apologies. But I would also like you to know that never, never I referred to anyone else.
"Only to Son and for that reason I’ve never had the intention to offend directly or indirectly anyone. A big hug and all my respect to anyone.”
His apology appeared to be accepted by his team-mate, who posted a statement on Instagram, writing that Bentancur would never "intentionally say something offensive".
Son's post read: “I’ve spoken with Lolo [Bentancur]. He made a mistake. He knows this and has apologised. Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all. We’re past this, we’re united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one.”
Bentancur will miss seven domestic club matches in addition to being fined £100,000. He will also have to attend an education programme before 11 March, 2025.
This means Tottenham will be without the 27-year-old for six Premier League games, including their trip to Manchester City this Saturday and the visit of Liverpool on December 22.
Bentancur will also be unavailable for their EFL Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, but is allowed to compete in the UEFA Europa League.
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