Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur’s appeal against a seven-game ban has been rejected by an independent panel.
Bentancur was sanctioned by the Football Association last month. His ban came with a £100,000 fine after comments he made about teammate Son Heung-min in June.
He was found guilty of a serious breach of FA Rule E3.2 by using offensive and/or insulting words with a reference – express or implied – to nationality and/or racial and/or ethnic origin.
The Uruguayan midfielder appeared on the television show Pro La Camiseta. Presenter Rafa Cotelo asked about a Spurs player’s jersey, to which Bentancur replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin since they all look the same.”
Tottenham and the player accepted the guilty verdict but appealed against the severity of the sanction.
An independent appeal panel has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur relating to his recent suspension.
Full statement: https://t.co/Qz9P3HwD1r pic.twitter.com/AA1ZaCIkpS
– FA spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 17, 2024
Forest return still likely
However, the FA confirmed today that the penalty stands, meaning the 27-year-old, who has already missed games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton, will miss this week’s EFL Cup clash with Manchester United and The Premier will have a break in the league game with Liverpool.
His next league appearance is expected to come against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
Bentancur, who was able to play in the Europa League because his ban only applies to domestic matches, was described as an “outstanding person” by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian said: “He understands he made a mistake and is prepared to accept whatever punishment he faces.”
“As a club we will support him because the one thing I cannot deny, because I know him, is that he is an outstanding human being, an incredible teammate, a person of the greatest character who made a mistake.”
