Rodrigo Bentancur hit with a seven-match ban for Son Heung-min’s comments

On By Littum

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-match home ban by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark about teammate Son Heung-min in a television interview.

Bentancur was charged by the FA on 12 September with alleged misconduct in relation to a media interview which emerged in June and showed Bentancur being asked by the Channel 10 host to show a Spurs player’s shirt.

Former Juventus player Bentancur replied: “Sonny’s? It could also be Sonny’s cousin as they all look alike.”

While an apology from Bentancur was swift as this was a “serious offence”, an independent Regulatory Commission panel was required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The Independent Regulatory Commission panel upheld the charge and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham’s next seven domestic games but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League games with Roma and Rangers.

An FA spokesman said: “An Independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match ban and a £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for breaching FA Rule E3 in connection with a media interview.

“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 when he acted in an inappropriate manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It was further alleged that this constitutes a ‘serious offence’ as defined in FA Rule E3.2 as it contained 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 proven and imposed sanctions on him after a hearing.”