The Football Association has charged Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur for making a racial slur about his teammate Son Heung-min.
When Bentancur appeared on Uruguayan TV in June, a presenter asked him for a Tottenham shirt, to which he replied, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too, as they all look the same.”
Later, Bentancur apologized on Instagram, calling his comments a “very bad joke.”
Son claimed that after Bentancur apologized to him for making a racial slur, the two have since joined up at Tottenham Hotspur for the Premier League season.
Son stated in June, “I’ve spoken to Lolo.” ” He made a mistake; he knows this and has apologized.
“Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers, and nothing has changed at all.
“We’re past this, we’re united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one.”
The 27-year-old Uruguayan international has reportedly been charged with an alleged breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview, according to the FA.
The English football governing body released a statement saying, “It’s alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought into disrepute.”
According to the FA, this was considered an “aggravated breach…” as it included a reference, whether expressed or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”
As per FA laws, match-based sanctions of 6–12 games will be recommended to regulatory commissions for almost all acts of discrimination by individual participants in terms of the duration of the ban.
Bentancur’s racial slur was the subject of a “significant number” of complaints, according to anti-discrimination charity Kick it Out, which at the time highlighted a wider issue that heavily affects East Asian and wider communities.
Tottenham player Rodrigo Bentancur has until September 19th, Thursday, to respond to the charge. Bentancur is allowed to play in the interim, but he will probably be banned if the charge is upheld in the coming weeks.
Spurs, who are 10th on the Premier League table, will play 4th-placed Arsenal on Sunday, September 15th, in the North London derby.
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