November 18 – Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has received a seven-match ban and a £100,000 fine from the English FA for using a racial slur toward teammate and club captain Son Heung-min.
The incident occurred during a television appearance in Bentancur’s native Uruguay in June, with the FA formally charging the player in September.
“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent regulatory commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing,” said an FA statement.
Despite offering a swift apology, Bentancur’s case, classified as an “aggravated breach”, required review by an independent regulatory commission panel. The panel upheld the FA’s charge, leading to a seven-match domestic suspension for the midfielder. However, Bentancur will remain eligible for Tottenham’s Europa League fixtures, including clashes against Roma and Rangers.
The 27-year-old will not return to domestic action until December 26, missing Premier League matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, plus Spurs’ League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
When charging the Uruguay international the FA said it was “an alleged breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview”.
The FA said this constituted an “aggravated breach… as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.
Bentancur apologised to Son, who said he would “not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive”.
In the media interview in question, asked by a presenter for a Tottenham shirt, Bentancur replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
He later apologised on social media and said his comments were a “very bad joke”.
Spurs return to Premier League action away to Manchester City on Saturday November 23, in the next chapter of a storied battle which Bentancur will have to watch from the stands.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734788897labto1734788897ofdlr1734788897owedi1734788897sni@g1734788897niwe.1734788897yrrah1734788897