Rodrigo Bentancur Receives Match Ban for Comments About Son Heung-Min

Tottenham midfielder, Rodrigo Bentancur, has been given a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark made about team-mate Son Heung-min in a Uruguayan TV interview.

On September 12, the English FA charged Bentancur with a purported misconduct violation linked to a media interview that surfaced in June. During the interview, the host of Canal 10 asked Bentancur to display a shirt belonging to a Spurs player.

Uruguay international Bentancur replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin, too, as they all look the same.”

While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an “aggravated breach,” an independent regulatory commission panel was required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The independent regulatory commission panel has upheld the charge against Bentancur, who will miss Tottenham’s next seven domestic matches.

However, he will be eligible to play for the club in the upcoming Europa League fixtures against Roma and Rangers.

An FA spokesperson said, “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.”

In the days after the incident, Bentancur apologized to South Korea captain Son on Instagram, saying, “Sonny brother. I apologize to you for what happened; it was just a very bad joke.

“You know I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!”

Son responded in a statement on Instagram, saying, “I’ve spoken with Lolo (Bentancur). He made a mistake; he knows this and has apologized.

“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.”

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said it had received a “significant number” of complaints in the aftermath of Bentancur’s comment.

In the written reasons from the FA disciplinary proceeding, it was stated that Bentancur’s remarks were considered to be “clearly objectively insulting and abusive”, despite evidence from the midfielder arguing that the words were intended to be a “sarcastic and gentle rebuke” to the interviewer.

Alongside his ban and fine, Bentancur is mandated to participate in a face-to-face education program organized by the FA, which he must complete by March 11, 2025.