Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged by the Football Association after controversial comments he made about Spurs captain Son Heung-min.
In an interview with Uruguayan Television programme Por La Camiseta in June, Bentancur suggested that all people from South Korea ‘looked the same’.
The 26-year-old swiftly apologised for the comments but now faces the prospect of a ban after the FA brought charges against the Uruguyan.
A statement from the FA read: ‘Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview.
‘It’s alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has 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’s 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 has until Thursday 19 September 2024 to provide a response to this charge.’
Bentancur comments sparked public outrage at the time when he was asked by Uruguayan journalist Rafa Cotelo for a Spurs shirt to which he replied: ‘Sonny’s?, adding: ‘It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.’
After the clip went viral, he later apologised for the remarks and claimed it was simply a ‘very bad joke’, with Spurs captain Son accepting his apology.
‘I’ve spoken with Lolo. He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised,’ the South Korean said.
‘Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all.
‘We’re past this, we’re united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one.’
Bentancur started Tottenham’s first game of the season against Leicester but was stretchered off after being knocked unconscious in the second half.
The midfielder made his return off the bench against Newcastle prior to the international break and could return to Ange Postecoglou’s starting lineup for Sunday’s clash with Arsenal.
Tottenham have until next Thursday to appeal the charge, with Bentancur facing the prospect of a lengthy ban if found guilty.
In 2011, Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was slapped with an eight-game ban for racist comments aimed at Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra.
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