Tottenham player to face heavy ban for racist remarks about Son Heung-min

Rodrigo Bentancur (L) celebrates with Son Heung-min (number 7) after scoring the opening goal in Tottenham's 1-4 loss to Leicester City on Feb. 11, 2023. Photo by Reuters

The controversy stems from an interview Bentancur gave on the Uruguayan show "Por La Camiseta" in June. Bentancur was asked to give away a Tottenham jersey, to which he responded: "Sonny’s or a cousin of Sonny’s? They all look the same, more or less."

The FA charged Bentancur with using abusive language and acting in a manner that brought damages to the sport, adding that it allegedly involved references to nationality, race or ethnic origin.

A suspension of six to 12 matches is under consideration, with sources suggesting a seven-game ban that could sideline the 27-year-old midfielder for the rest of 2024, Daily Mail reported.

Following the incident, Bentancur issued an apology to Son. The midfielder also posted a public apology on social media.

"Sonny brother! I am sorry for what happened, it was a joke in bad taste," he wrote on social media. "You know that I love you and would never disrespect you, or hurt you or anyone. I love you brother!"

Son accepted the apology, later revealing that Bentancur was emotional when he was accused of being racist, Goal reported.

"I was at home and I didn’t even realize what was going on," Son said. "He just sent me a long text message that you could feel was coming from his heart. We’re all human and make mistakes, and we learn from it. But I love Rodrigo. I love him, I love him. You know, he made a mistake. But I have no problem at all. At all."

Tottenham has expressed full support for FA’s investigation and announced plans to strengthen education on equality and cultural respect within the team. In a statement, the club emphasized pride in their diverse squad and affirmed that discrimination has no place at Tottenham.

Bentancur, who joined Tottenham in 2022 after stints with Boca Juniors and Juventus, has contributed 8 goals and 8 assists in 84 appearances for the club. He has also represented Uruguay in 65 games, including the 2018 and 2022 World Cup and two Copa America.

In 2019, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva received a one-match ban and a $65,000 fine for comparing teammate Benjamin Mendy to a confectionery brand mascot that was deemed "racist", in a X post with a caption: "Guess who?". Although Mendy liked the post and even replied to it as a joke, Silva was still heavily criticized.