Rodrigo Bentancur handed seven-match ban for racial slur

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 18 Nov 2024 11:16 GMT
• 2 min read

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Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-match ban and a £100,000 fine for using a racial slur about Tottenham Hotspur team-mate Son Heung-min.

The 27-year-old midfielder was charged in September, following his comments while on Uruguayan TV in June, and the Football Association have confirmed his sanction.

A statement from the FA read: “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.

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“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.”

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Bentancur will be available for Tottenham’s Europa League fixtures, but he will not be able to feature in Spurs’ next seven domestic fixtures.

What did Rodrigo Bentancur say?

In June 2024, Bentancur was interviewed by Uruguayan journalist Rafa Cotelo and when asked to present a Tottenham shirt, the midfielder replied: “Sonny's? Or one of Sonny’s cousins as they all look more or less the same.”

Bentancur later issued an apology on social media, stating: “I would like to communicate to all fans and everyone who follows us that after my interview where I referred to Son and no one else, I have spoken to him and, logically given our deep friendship, he understands it was only an unfortunate misunderstanding.

“All has been clarified and solved with my friend. If someone felt offended because of my words through this media tool I would like to offer my sincere apologies. But I would also like you to know that never, never I referred to anyone else.

“Only to Son and for that reason I’ve never had the intention to offend directly or indirectly anyone. A big hug and all my respect to anyone.”