Rodrigo Bentancur Banned for Seven Matches Following Racial Slur Against Teammate Son Heung-min

Uruguayan Midfielder Fined £100,000 Amid Controversy

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-match domestic ban and fined £100,000 for using a racial slur about teammate Son Heung-min. The punishment, announced by the Football Association (FA), follows comments made by Bentancur during a June 2024 interview on Uruguayan television.

The FA confirmed the sanction in a statement, citing a breach of FA Rule E3 regarding improper and abusive language, including an “aggravated breach” referencing nationality, race, or ethnic origin.

FA’s Statement on the Decision

“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,” the FA stated.

The statement added:
“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’ under 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.”

Incident Details

During the June interview with Uruguayan journalist Rafa Cotelo, Bentancur was asked to present a Tottenham shirt. In his response, the midfielder made an offensive remark, saying, “Sonny’s? Or one of Sonny’s cousins, as they all look more or less the same.”

The comment sparked widespread criticism, leading to the FA’s investigation. While Bentancur will still be eligible for Tottenham’s Europa League fixtures, he will miss the team’s next seven domestic matches.

Bentancur’s Apology

Bentancur addressed the incident on social media, offering an apology and clarifying his remarks:
“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, did I refer 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 everyone.”

Reactions and Fallout

While Bentancur’s apology and friendship with Son Heung-min may have eased tensions within the Tottenham camp, the incident has reignited discussions around racial sensitivity in football. The FA’s decision reflects its ongoing efforts to maintain strict standards against discriminatory behavior in the sport.

Bentancur’s suspension deals a blow to Spurs as they navigate a crucial period of their season, highlighting the broader consequences of such incidents on both individual players and their teams.

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