Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur Banned for Seven Matches Over Racist Remark

Background

Tottenham Hotspur’s midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches by the Football Association (FA) after making a racist remark about South Korean people during an interview on Uruguayan television. The incident occurred in June, when Bentancur was asked by a host on the TV show “Por La Camiseta” to provide a shirt for a Spurs player. He replied, “Sonny’s?”, adding, “Or one of Sonny’s cousins as they all look more or less the same.”

Charges and Sanctions

The FA charged Bentancur in September, and the 27-year-old Uruguayan midfielder initially showed remorse and apologized to his teammate Son Heung-min. However, he later denied the charge, claiming that his words were not meant to be racist. An independent regulatory commission found the charge to be proven and imposed the sanctions, which include a fine of £100,000 (US$126,160).

Commission’s Ruling

The commission found that Bentancur “acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.” The statement added that the incident constituted an “aggravated breach… as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”

Impact on Bentancur and Tottenham

Bentancur will miss seven Premier League matches, including games against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, as well as the League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United. He will still be available for Tottenham’s Europa League matches but will not return to domestic action until December 26.

Conclusion

The incident highlights the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity in sports. The FA’s decision to impose a seven-match ban and fine on Bentancur sends a strong message that racism has no place in the game. The incident also underscores the need for players to be mindful of their words and actions, as they can have far-reaching consequences.

FAQs

Q: What did Rodrigo Bentancur say during the interview that led to the charges?
A: Bentancur replied, “Sonny’s?”, adding, “Or one of Sonny’s cousins as they all look more or less the same.”

Q: Why did the FA charge Bentancur?
A: The FA charged Bentancur for making a racist remark about South Korean people during an interview on Uruguayan television.

Q: What sanctions did the FA impose on Bentancur?
A: The FA imposed a seven-match ban and a fine of £100,000 (US$126,160) on Bentancur.

Q: Will Bentancur still be available for Tottenham’s Europa League matches?
A: Yes, Bentancur will still be available for Tottenham’s Europa League matches but will not return to domestic action until December 26.

Q: How many Premier League matches will Bentancur miss?
A: Bentancur will miss seven Premier League matches, including games against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, as well as the League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.