- Rodrigo Bentancur has been informed that he has until September 19 to respond
- Bentancur made the requested comment about Son Hueng-Min’s shirt on Uruguayan television
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Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur faces a suspension after the Football Association charged him with misconduct over comments he made about the South Koreans’ performance in June.
The Spurs midfielder made the bizarre comment during an interview with Uruguayan television when asked about captain Son Heung-Min’s shirt.
Bentancur responded to the question by telling the interviewer that he had to buy a shirt from Son’s cousin because “they all look the same.”
The 27-year-old has since apologized, but has been informed that he has until Thursday, September 19, to respond.
Bentancur will be allowed to play against Arsenal in this weekend’s North London derby whether he is guilty or not.
Rodrigo Bentancur could face suspension after being charged by the FA for a ‘serious offence’
Bentancur (left) appeared to suggest during a TV interview that South Koreans “all look the same”
Bentancur has since apologized to teammate and Spurs captain Son Heung-min (left)
A statement from the Football Association (FA) said: ‘Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct in connection with a media interview.
‘It is alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA regulation E3.1 by behaving in an improper manner and/or using offensive language and/or bringing the game into disrepute.
‘It is further alleged that this constitutes a ‘serious offence’ as defined in FA Rule E3.2 as it contains a reference, either express or implied, to nationality and/or racial and/or ethnic origin.’
Anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out said it received a “significant number” of complaints after the comment was broadcast on Canal 10.
Bentancur apologized on Instagram after his comments received a lot of negative feedback.
“Sonny brother! I apologize to you for what happened, it was just a really bad joke,” Bentancur wrote. “You know I love you and I would never disrespect or hurt you or anyone! I love you brother!”
Edinson Cavani, then a Manchester United player, was given a three-match ban and a £100,000 fine in 2020 after using the word ‘negrito’ in a social media post.
Former Man United striker Edinson Cavani was handed a three-match ban in 2020 for using the word ‘negrito’ on social media
Bentancur would miss games against Brentford, United and Brighton if he were to receive a similar suspension
The striker sent the message to a friend via an Instagram story after scoring twice against Southampton in the Red Devils’ 3-2 win.
If Bentancur is found guilty and given a similar suspension, he could miss games against Brentford, United and Brighton, all in the Premier League.
