Tottenham blow as Rodrigo Bentancur banned ‘for SEVEN games’ after racist comment about team-mate Son Heung-min
RODRIGO BENTANCUR is understood to have been banned for seven domestic games for a racist comment about Tottenham team-mate Son Heung-min.The Uruguayan midfielder, 27, was charged by the FA in September for an “aggravated breach” and faced a ban of between six and 12 matches.Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven games for comments about Son Heung-minCredit: RexBentancur apologised to captain Son after making the remarkCredit: GettyBentancur made the comment in an interview with Uruguayan TVCredit: .He has now learned the extent of his punishment which will mean he is unable to play until mid-December.Back in June, Bentancur suggested that all South Korean people “look the same” during a Uruguayan TV interview.A reporter asked “Can you get me the shirt from the Korean?” to which Bentancur replied: “Sonny?”The journalist then went on to say “Or any other champion,” before the midfielder responded: “Or any cousin of Sonny, they all look more or less the same.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe subsequently apologised to Spurs team-mate Son, who is South Korea’s captain, and issued a statement on social media which read: “Sonny brother. I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke.”You know I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!”Son was quick to accept his apology and said: “He apologised straight afterwards when we [were on] holiday.”I was at home, I didn’t even realise what was going on. He just sent me a long message, and you could feel it was coming from his heart.Most read in FootballGames Rodrigo Bentancur is set to missPremier League unless statedMan City (A) – November 23Fulham (H) – December 1Bournemouth (A) – December 5Chelsea (H) – December 8Southampton (A) – December 15Man Utd (H) – December 19 (Carabao Cup)Liverpool (H) – December 22″When we came back to the training ground for pre-season, he was really sorry and he almost cried.”He apologised in public and personally as well. It felt like he was really sorry. We’re all human, we make mistakes, we learn from it. I love Rodrigo, I love him, I love him.Ange Postecoglou shows his disappointment after Tottenham loss to Ipswich Bentancur has scored one Premier League goal in 10 Premier League games this season”He knows he made a mistake but I have no problem at all. We move on as a team-mate, as a friend, as a brother. We move on together.”But Bentancur was charged by the FA who deemed the comment to include “a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.The FA statement following Bentancur’s charge read: “Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview.”It’s alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has 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’s 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.”SunSport has approached the FA for comment.The ban means Bentancur is set to miss Spurs’ Premier League games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool – as well as their Carabao Cup quarter-final with Manchester United.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe will still be eligible to play in their Europa League games against Roma and Rangers.Bentancur has started seven of Spurs’ 11 Premier League games so far this season, scoring one goal.Premier League’s biggest bansJoey Barton – 13 months for placing bets on 1,260 matchesAbel Xavier – 12 months for testing positive for anabolic steroidSandro Tonali – 10 months for breaching FA’s betting rulesMark Bosnich – Nine months for testing positive for cocaineEric Cantona – Nine months for kung-fu kick on fanRio Ferdinand – Eight months for accidentally missing a scheduled drugs testIvan Toney – Eight months for 232 breaches of the FA’s betting lawsAdrian Mutu – Seven months for testing positive for cocaineKolo Toure – Six months for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substanceJoey Barton – 12 games for in-game three-man assault More