Rodrigo Bentancur is facing a HUGE ban over bizarre Son Heung-min comment suggesting South Koreans... (original) (raw)

Rodrigo Bentancur is facing a HUGE ban over bizarre Son Heung-min comment suggesting South Koreans 'all look the same' as Tottenham star is charged by FA

Published: 05:11 EDT, 12 September 2024 | Updated: 17:21 EDT, 12 September 2024

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur faces a 12 match suspension for making an alleged racist remark about South Koreans whilst on Uruguayan TV.

Appearing on the show in June, Bentancur was asked for a Tottenham player’s jersey and replied, ‘Sonny’s?’ - referencing his team-mate Heung-min Son.

He then added it could be Son’s cousin, too, because ‘more or less they are all the same.’

The FA confirmed that they have charged the South American for an ‘aggravated breach’ of their rules.

A statement from the FA said: ‘Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview.

Rodrigo Bentancur could face a 12-match ban after being charged by the FA for an 'aggravated breach'

Bentancur (left) appeared to suggest South Koreans 'all look the same' during a TV interview

Bentancur has since issued an apology to team-mate and Spurs captain Son Heung-min (left)

‘It’s alleged that the Tottenham 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.'

If found guilty, Bentancur faces a minimum six-match ban. If he admits to the charge he will face a 12-game suspension.

Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez will escape punishment by the Football Association for his role in a discriminatory social media video that included derogatory remarks about members of the France team.

FIFA and Chelsea opened an investigation after a social media video following Argentina's Copa America victory appeared to show Fernandez and his teammates chanting a racist song about the French team as they celebrated in July.

At the time, there were indications that the FA would also investigate Fernandez’s role in the video given he is classed as a ‘participant’ in English football.

But the FA are not probing the matter because the video was recorded while Fernandez was on international duty, meaning it is a matter for FIFA and CONEMBOL.