FA charges Spurs star Rodrigo Bentancur over Son Heung-min comments

Tottenham Hotspur star Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged by the English Football Association.

The Argentine was charged over comments made about Spurs teammate Son Heung Min this summer.

Speaking on Uruguayan television, Bentacur was asked by a presenter for a Spurs shirt, to which he replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin, because they all look the same.”

The 27-year-old later apologized, writing: “Sonny brother! I apologize for what happened, it was just a really bad joke.

“You know I love you and I would never disrespect or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!”

On his own social media, Son wrote: “I spoke to Lolo. He made a mistake, he knows it and has apologized. Lolo would never intentionally say anything offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.

“We are over this, we are united and we will come together again in preparation for the season to fight as one for our club.”

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It was reported on Thursday that Bentancur had been charged by the FA.

A statement from the English Football Association (FA) said: “Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct in connection with a media interview.

“It is alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA regulation E3.1 by behaving in an improper manner and/or using offensive language and/or bringing the game into disrepute.”

It was further stated: “It is further alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated offence’ as defined in FA Rule E3.2 as it contained a reference, either express or implied, to nationality and/or racial and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur has until Thursday, September 19, 2024 to respond to this charge.”

It is alleged that Bentancur has been given a free pass until the case is concluded.

Spurs return to the Premier League this weekend when they host North London rivals Arsenal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon.