Tottenham Hotspur have opted not to fine Rodrigo Bentancur for using a racial slur about teammate Son Heung-min, despite the midfielder being found guilty of “aggravated misconduct” by the Football Association. The FA handed Bentancur a seven-match ban and a £100,000 fine this week, but the club have not imposed any additional punishment.
Tottenham accept that Bentancur deserves to be punished for comments made in a TV interview in June in his native Uruguay, but regard the matter as one for the football authorities. In the interview, the 27-year-old was asked to provide a shirt belonging to a Spurs player. “Sonny’s?” Bentancur replied. “It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
The club’s position is understood to be based on their conclusion that Bentancur did not intend any offence. In his defence at the FA hearing, he claimed he was responding sarcastically to the interviewer, who had referred to Son as “the Korean”. The day after the interview, Bentancur issued a public apology and has also apologised in person to Son, which the Spurs captain accepted.
Rather than fining Bentancur, Tottenham are understood to have decided to provide more diversity and equality training for their players, which took place over the summer. Bentancur has also been ordered by the FA to attend a face-to-face education programme. Tottenham have appealed against the length of the ban, hoping to reduce it from seven to six matches, which would allow him to return for the Premier League visit of Liverpool on 22 December.
A spokesperson for the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out said: “It’s important that clubs demonstrate accountability and action when discrimination occurs, including further education. That should apply to all participants in football, whether they are fans, players, staff or those in senior leadership roles. It’s vital that learning takes place so we can make football more welcoming for all.” Tottenham declined to comment regarding their decision not to fine Bentancur.
