Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur could be banned for up to 12 games after being charged by the Football Association for suggesting South Korean team-mate Heung-min Son and his cousins “all look the same”.
Bentancur made the comment during an interview broadcast in his native Uruguay in June.
The midfielder issued private and public apologies soon after the interview aired, claiming the remark was a “very bad joke”.
However, the FA have now charged Bentancur with an “aggravated breach” of its rules, alleging that he "acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.”
An aggravated breach is defined by the FA as including a reference “whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.
Standard Sport understands that Bentancur, if found guilty, could be banned for between six and 12 games.
Bentancur has until September 19 to respond to the charge and in the meantime remains available to play for Ange Postecoglou’s side, including in Sunday’s crucial north London derby against Arsenal.
The 27-year-old started Tottenham’s opening game of the season against Leicester but was forced off during the second-half with a head injury and missed the subsequent win over Everton while following concussion protocols.
He returned as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle just before the international break but missed Uruguay’s goalless draws with Paraguay and Venezuela through suspension, having been hit with a four-match ban for his part in the chaos that marred the summer’s Copa America semi-final against Colombia.
Tottenham did not comment on the FA’s charge on Thursday morning, but issued a statement following Bentancur’s initial apology three months ago, suggesting club captain Son wanted to “draw a line under the incident”.
“We are extremely proud of our diverse, global fanbase and playing squads,” it added at the time. "Discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club, within our game or within wider society.”
