Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will be sidelined for an extended period due over an alleged offensive comment about South Korean people.
The Football Association (FA) moved to impose a seven-match suspension on Bentancur, which will greatly impact Tottenham’s current lineup and manager Ange Postecoglou’s plans.
"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.
The statement went on to state that Bentancur's comment was an "aggravated breach... as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin".
In addition to the suspension, Bentancur was fined £100,000 (approx. $126,190) after being initially charged in September.
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Alleged Bentancur comment sparks FA investigation
The incident in question dates back to June when Bentancur appeared on a television show in his home country of Uruguay.
During the show, Bentancur was asked about Tottenham teammate Son Heung-min and reportedly made a comment that some viewers found offensive.
The FA soon launched an investigation, later charging the midfielder with an "aggravated breach" of conduct. Now, the FA appears close to finalising his punishment.
Since joining Tottenham, Bentancur has been a crucial player under Postecoglou, featuring in 10 of the team’s 11 Premier League games this season.
His consistent presence in midfield has helped drive Tottenham’s positive results, making this potential ban a major setback.
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What did Bentancur say about Son?
In the aforementioned media interview, when asked by a presenter for a Spurs 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".
Son Heung-min’s response to Bentancur comment
Despite the controversy, Son Heung-min, Tottenham’s captain and one of the most respected figures in the squad, has shown unwavering support for Bentancur.
In September, Son addressed the incident, noting how his teammate immediately apologised and expressed genuine regret.
Son said that Bentancur sent him a heartfelt message of apology while they were on holiday and later apologised again in person, visibly upset over his comments.
"We all make mistakes, and we learn from them," Son remarked, standing by his teammate and calling him “a brother.”
What Bentancur ban means for Tottenham
The ban for Bentancur brings added challenges for the under-fire Postecoglou, who has depended on the midfielder as a key figure in his team.
Tottenham will need to reshuffle their lineup and adapt quickly to fill Bentancur's absence, with the likes of Yves Bissouma and Archie Gray expected to step up.
When will Bentancur's suspension end? Which games will he miss?
The suspension will encompass all domestic games until Boxing Day, December 26.
It means Bentancur will miss Premier League matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea as well as others, plus Spurs' big League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
He will still be available for their Europa League matches during that time, however.
