Rodrigo Bentancur Hit with Seven-Match Domestic Ban and £100,000 Fine for Racist Remark

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-match domestic ban and a £100,000 fine by the Football Association (FA) after being found guilty of making a racist comment about teammate Heung-Min Son. The FA imposed the sanctions following an independent regulatory commission’s ruling after an investigation into remarks made during a media interview in Bentancur’s home country of Uruguay earlier this year.

The controversy stemmed from a TV interview broadcast in June, where Bentancur was asked by the presenter to display the shirt of a fellow Tottenham player. When asked about Son Heung-Min’s shirt, Bentancur responded: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too, as they all look the same.” The comment, widely condemned as racially insensitive, sparked immediate backlash.

Bentancur quickly apologized for the remark, both on social media and directly to Son. He described the comment as “a very bad joke” and expressed remorse for causing any offense. Son, in turn, accepted the apology, stating that he believed Bentancur did not intend to hurt anyone and that their relationship remained strong. Tottenham Hotspur also issued a statement supporting their captain, Son, and confirming that Bentancur was receiving assistance to ensure a positive outcome from the situation.

Despite the apology, the FA charged Bentancur with a breach of Rule E3, which covers misconduct related to media interviews. The FA classified the incident as an “aggravated breach,” noting that the comment included a reference to ethnicity and nationality. An independent regulatory commission found the charge proven, and as a result, Bentancur was handed a seven-match domestic suspension, which will keep him out of key Premier League and League Cup fixtures.

Bentancur will miss Tottenham’s upcoming Premier League matches against Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and others, as well as a League Cup quarter-final clash against Manchester United. However, the ban does not extend to European competition, meaning Bentancur will be available to play in Tottenham’s Europa League fixtures against Roma and Rangers.

Bentancur denied the charges, asserting that his comment was intended as a sarcastic rebuke of the interviewer, who had referred to Son as “the Korean.” His defence team argued that he did not believe all South Koreans “look the same” and that the context of his response showed it was meant to challenge the journalist’s description of his teammate. Bentancur’s representatives further claimed that his apology was not for the content of his words, but rather for the media’s misrepresentation of the exchange.

However, the regulatory commission dismissed this defence, concluding that Bentancur’s words were clearly “abusive and insulting,” and amounted to misconduct. The panel also noted that Bentancur’s apologies indicated an acceptance of the offense caused, and stated that although his remorse was genuine, the breach remained serious. As a result, the commission imposed a fine and a suspension at the lower end of the guideline range.

The punishment was welcomed by anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out, which had received numerous reports from the public about the incident. A spokesperson emphasized the wider impact of such comments, particularly on fans from East and Southeast Asian backgrounds. “Abuse directed at players from these communities has a broader societal effect,” they said. “It’s crucial that these issues are dealt with seriously, and we support the FA’s decision to hold Bentancur accountable.”

Tottenham Hotspur has also committed to further educating its players on diversity, equality, and inclusion, reinforcing their stance that discrimination of any kind has no place in football or society. The club reaffirmed its support for Son and expressed its pride in its diverse, global fan base and playing squad.