Tottenham have not fined Rodrigo Bentancur for using a racial slur about teammate Son Heung-min despite their midfielder being found guilty of “aggravated misconduct” by the Football Association.
Bentancur was handed a seven-match ban and £100,000 fine by the FA this week, but the Guardian has learned that his club have not punished him.
Tottenham have accepted Bentacur deserves to be punished for comments he made in a TV interview in June in his native Uruguay, but regard it as a matter for the football authorities.
In the interview, the 27-year-old was asked to provide a shirt belonging to a Spurs player. “Sonny’s?” Bentancur replied. “It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.” Spurs have accepted the FA’s guilty finding but are appealing against the length of his ban and hope to get it reduced to six matches.
The club’s position is understood to be based on their conclusion that Bentancur did not intend any offence in making the remarks, and that he was attempting to push back against a question he found offensive. In his defence at the FA hearing, Bentancur claimed he was responding sarcastically to the interviewer, who had referred to Son as “the Korean”.
The day after the interview was broadcast Bentancur issued a public apology for any offence caused, and he has also offered an apology in person to Son, which the Spurs captain accepted. Rather than punish Bentancur, Tottenham are understood to have decided to provide more diversity and equality training for their players, which took place over the summer. Bentancur has been ordered to attend a face-to-face education programme by the FA.
The Uruguay international’s seven-match ban begins with Saturday’s visit to Manchester City and he is due to miss five further Premier League games, as well as the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on 19 December.
Tottenham have appealed against the length of the ban but, with FA regulations stating that the minimum suspension for aggravated misconduct is six matches, the best they can hope for is a one-game reduction and his return for the Premier League visit of Liverpool on 22 December.
A spokesperson for the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said: “It’s important that clubs demonstrate accountability and action when discrimination occurs, including further education. That should apply to all participants in football, whether they are fans, players, staff or those in senior leadership roles. It’s vital that learning takes place so we can make football more welcoming for all.”
Tottenham declined to comment in regards to their decision not to fine Bentancur.
