Tottenham are expected to appeal against Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match suspension for a racist remark made about team-mate Heung-Min Son in a TV interview.
Spurs are understood to be appealing the length of the Football Association ban rather than the verdict. The 27-year-old was also fined £100,000.
Bentancur has been sanctioned over comments he made in an interview aired on Uruguayan TV in June.
The former Juventus midfielder was asked to show the shirt of a Spurs player and replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an “aggravated breach”, an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.
Son said he and Bentancur remained “brothers” and “nothing had changed” after the Uruguayan immediately apologised to him, admitting he had “made a mistake”.
Tottenham travel to Manchester City next on Saturday November 23, live on Sky Sports.
Saturday 23rd November 5:00pm
Kick off 5:30pm
What Kick It Out said on Bentancur’s ban
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Kick It Out chief executive Samuel Okafor believes Bentancur’s comments about Son should be taken seriously
A spokesperson for Kick It Out, an anti-discrimination body in football, welcomed the punishment on Bentancur.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, they said: “We welcome today’s decision to hold Rodrigo Bentancur accountable for using a racial slur.
“A significant number of reports were made to Kick It Out regarding the incident at the time, highlighting how abuse directed at players from East and Southeast Asian backgrounds not only impacts the individuals involved but also affects fans in the wider community.”
Spurs’ next seven domestic fixtures
November 23: Manchester City (a) – live on Sky Sports
December 1: Fulham (h)
December 5: Bournemouth (a)
December 8: Chelsea (h) – live on Sky Sports
December 15: Southampton (a)
December 19: Manchester United (h) – live on Sky Sports, Carabao Cup quarter-final
December 22: Liverpool (h) – live on Sky Sports
