Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur has been hit with a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark made about team-mate Son Heung-min in a TV interview.
Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel had exclusively revealed earlier in November that the FA were set to hit the Uruguayan with a huge ban following the incident, with the length of that punishment now confirmed as seven games.
Bentancur, 27, was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June and showed Bentancur being asked by the host of Canal 10 to show the shirt of a Spurs player.
Former Juventus player Bentancur replied: ‘Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.’
While Bentancur swiftly apologises, 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 upheld the charge, and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham’s next seven domestic fixtures but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with 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.’
Former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani was hit with a three-match ban and £100,000 fine back in 2020 after the Uruguay legend used the word ‘negrito’ in a social media post.
Cavani sent the message to a friend after his match-winning performance against Southampton in November 2020, but the FA decided it was discriminatory in nature and charged him with misconduct.
While on international duty with his national side this week, Tottenham midfielder Bentancur revealed that he had been informed by his agent that the punishment will be harsh.
Source: Dailymail.com
