Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has supported the club’s decision to appeal the severity of Rodrigo Bentancur’s ban for using a racial slur about team-mate Son Heung-min.
Rodrigo Bentancur Handed Seven-Game Ban By The FA
Bentancur was handed a seven-match suspension for comments he made during a Uruguayan TV interview in June. The 27-year-old was also fined £100,000 and must complete a face-to-face education program.
The midfielder won’t be able to play any domestic football until Boxing Day. He will miss Spurs’ Premier League games with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City, as well as their League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
But Bentancur will be eligible for European games, as the FA ban only applies to domestic competitions.
However, Spurs appealed the decision to ban Bentancur for seven games.
Ange Postecoglou Supports Tottenham’s Appeal Over Rodrigo Bentancur’s Ban
Tottenham on Wednesday said in a statement on their social media channels that they wouldn’t appeal the guilty verdict given against Rodrigo Bentancur which led to his ban. However, the north London club said that they would appeal the severity of it.
And Spurs boss Postecoglou stands by his club’s decision to appeal.
“It’s disappointing because he’s been great for us this year,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports: “He’s one of the ones whose football has gone up a level. But we understood this was kind of coming and there was an acceptance from everyone that whatever the sort of penalties were… I fully support the club’s decision to appeal the severity of the ban, but ultimately we know it’s going to be for X number of games.
“We will work with Rodrigo through that and make sure within that time he has all our support in all the right ways so when he is available again he’s ready to go.
🗣️ "He’s a person of the upmost character that has made a mistake"
Ange Postecoglou fully supports Tottenham's appeal on the severity of the ban handed to Rodrigo Bentancur. pic.twitter.com/M6HyXE5Y0o
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 21, 2024
“I haven’t spoken to him since it came out. He’s been away with Uruguay and he’s not quite back yet. I’d spoken to him in the lead-up to it. As I said at the time, he understands he has made a mistake. He’s prepared to accept whatever penalty comes his way and we as a club are going to support him.
“The one thing that’s undeniable to me, because I know him, is he’s an outstanding person. He’s an unbelievable team-mate. He’s a person of the upmost character that has made a mistake. I think when that happens our role is to support him in any way we can.”
What Slur Did Rodrigo Bentancur Say To Get Banned?
In the charges levied at Rodrigo Bentancur by the FA which led to his ban, he was said to have breached rule E3, relating to “misconduct in relation to a media interview”.
This was deemed an ‘aggravated breach’ by the FA as it “included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.
During the interview, Bentancur was asked for a Tottenham shirt by the presenter.
In reply, he said: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Bentancur later apologised for what he described as a “very bad joke”, and publicly apologised to Son. Before the ban was handed out, South Korean forward Son confirmed he and Rodrigo Bentancur settled the matter in private.
Son said: “I’ve spoken with Rodrigo Bentancur. 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.”
