Rodrigo Bentancur received a long suspension and will miss the Tottenham nightmare
Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-match suspension for making a racial slur, the FA has confirmed.
The Tottenham star was also fined £100,000.
Bentancur was filmed on Uruguayan television making derogatory comments about South Koreans in response to a question about Spurs captain Son Heung-min.
The FA confirmed the lengthy suspension ahead of Spurs' clash with Manchester City in their first game back after the international break.
An FA statement read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and a £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 inappropriately and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an “offence.” aggravated”, 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 accusation, but the independent Regulatory Commission considered it proven and imposed its sanctions after a hearing. The written reasons for these decisions can be seen below.”
This will rule Bentancus out of several key matches, including a home EFL Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
But he will remain eligible to play in the Europa League during the suspension.
After the comment attracted immediate reaction on social media, Bentancur quickly apologized to his teammate.
“Son brother,” Bentancur wrote on Instagram.
“I apologize for what happened, it was simply a joke in very bad taste.
“You know I love you and I would never disrespect or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!”
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Five days later, Son revealed that he had spoken with Bentancur and accepted his partner's apology.
“I have spoken with Lolo (Bentancur),” Son said in a post on Instagram.
“He made a mistake, he knows it and he has apologized. Lolo never intentionally wanted to say anything offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.
“We have already overcome this, we are united and we will be together again in the preseason to fight for our club as one.”
The 27-year-old has featured in all but two of Tottenham's 17 games in all competitions this season, meaning he will be a big loss for Ange Postecoglou over the seven-game stretch.
In Bentacur's absence, Yves Bissouma emerges as the most likely replacement in the defensive midfield role.
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With Bissouma's pending elevation to the starting lineup, it could cause a domino effect in Postecoglou's thinking.
Teenage talent Archie Gray has a chance of becoming the backup defensive midfield option, having already played in that position this season.
Although the versatile 18-year-old has primarily played at right-back this season, he is no stranger to that role, having played for Leeds United in the Championship last season.
However, if Postecoglou sees Gray as the backup defensive midfielder, he places Djed Spence as the next option at right back in case Pedro Porro is injured.
Spence returned to the matchday squad after recovering from a groin injury and was on the bench during Tottenham's 2-1 defeat to Ipswich last Sunday.
Games that Bentancur will miss
- Manchester City
- Fulham (hours)
- Bournemouth (a)
- Chelsea
- Southampton
- Man United (h) – Carabao Cup
- Liverpool (hours)
