Rodrigo Bentancur: Tottenham player suspended for seven games following racial slur against Heung-Min Son

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Rodrigo Bentancur: Tottenham player suspended for seven games following racial slur against Heung-Min Son

Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 for an alleged breach of misconduct in connection to a media interview that took place in June. During the interview, which aired on Canal 10, Bentancur was asked by the host to display the shirt of a Spurs player.

Former Juventus player Bentancur replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an "aggravated breach", an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The independent regulatory commission panel upheld the charge and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham's next seven domestic fixtures, but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with Roma and Rangers.

An FA spokesperson said: "An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

"It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder 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 was 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.

"Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing."

Bentancur insisted it was a "very bad joke" after he said Son and his cousins "all look the same" in an interview with Uruguayan national TV.

Son said they remained "brothers" and "nothing had changed" after Bentancur immediately apologised to him, admitting he had "made a mistake".

Tottenham travel to Manchester City next on Saturday November 23.

Spurs' next seven domestic fixtures

November 23: Manchester City (a) - live on

December 1: Fulham (h)

December 5: Bournemouth (a)

December 8: Chelsea (h) - live on

December 15: Southampton (a)

December 19: Manchester United (h) - live on , Carabao Cup quarter-final

December 22: Liverpool (h) - live on