Rodrigo Bentancur could be hit with a seven-game ban by the Football Association for remarks he made about Tottenham team-mate Son Heung-min, according to reports.
The Mail and The Athletic claim the FA have taken a dim view of the Uruguyan’s appearance on television show Pro La Camiseta in June. Host Rafa Cotelo asked for a Spurs player’s shirt to which Bentancur replied by saying: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
He was charged in September by the FA, who outlined the case against him.
It said: “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.”
Son said “we’re past this” in June
Both Tottenham and Son played down the incident at the time, but the FA are ready to hit the midfielder with a severe sanction.
Son wrote on Instagram: “He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised. 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.”
Spurs also released a statement in which they said they supported the fact “our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident.”
Blow for Postecoglou
If the reports of a seven-game ban are correct, it would come as a major blow to Spurs and head coach Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham have won just five of their opening 11 Premier League games and were beaten at home by struggling Ipswich on Sunday.
If Bentancur does miss seven games, he would not be available for the league clashes with Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
He would be able to return for the home game with Wolves on December 29.