Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-game suspension and fined £100,000 by the English FA following an incident involving the use of a racial slur directed at fellow player Son Heung-min.
He has also been ordered to take part in a mandatory face-to-face education programme. This decision comes after an investigation into the matter, which has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across the football community.
An FA spokesperson said: “An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.
“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder 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 was 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.
“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent regulatory commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.”
The ban will prevent Bentancur from participating in any domestic matches, effectively sidelining him until Boxing Day, when he is set to make his return in an English Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
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However, in a somewhat surprising twist, the Uruguayan international will still be eligible to compete in the Europa League fixtures.
That means the north London club will be able to call upon the 27-year-old for a home tie against AS Roma on November 28 before they travel to face Rangers at Ibrox on December 12.
With four games played, Spurs sit seventh in the new league phase table, having accumulated nine points. While, Rangers are tenth on seven points.
Bentancur will miss six league matches and the Carabao Cup clash against Manchester United just before Christmas.
He later had a public apology accepted, and admitted it was a "very bad joke".
