Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for making a racial slur about his teammate Son Heung-min during a media appearance.
The incident occurred in June on Uruguayan television when Bentancur, asked by a presenter for a Tottenham shirt, responded, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.” Bentancur later apologized on Instagram, calling his remarks a “very bad joke.”
The FA stated that the 27-year-old Uruguay international has been charged with breaching FA Rule E3, relating to misconduct in a media interview. The governing body alleged that Bentancur “acted improperly” and used “abusive and/or insulting words” that brought the game into disrepute. The FA further noted that this constituted an “aggravated breach” due to a reference to “nationality, race, or ethnic origin.”
According to FA guidelines, players found guilty of discriminatory behavior could face bans ranging from 6 to 12 games. Bentancur has until Thursday, September 19, to respond to the charge.
Following the incident, the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out reported receiving a “significant number” of complaints, emphasizing the broader impact on East Asian and wider communities.
Son Heung-min, who has resumed training with Bentancur for the new season, confirmed that his teammate had apologized. “I’ve spoken to Lolo,” said Son in June. “He made a mistake and has apologized. We are like brothers, and nothing has changed. We are united and ready to fight for our club together.” Bentancur’s case will now be reviewed, with a decision pending on any potential sanctions.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.