Bentancur banned standing, Tottenham midfielder misses Manchester United and Liverpool games

Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has had his appeal against a seven-match ban rejected by an independent panel.

Bentancur was sanctioned by the Football Association last month, his suspension accompanied by a £100,000 fine, following comments he made about team-mate Son Heung-min in June.

He was found guilty of an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3.2, using abusive and/or insulting words with reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

The Uruguayan midfielder appeared in the TV show Pro La Camiseta. Host Rafa Cotelo asked for a Spurs player’s shirt to which Bentancur responded by saying: “Sonny’s? Might as well be Sonny’s cousin as they all look alike.”

Tottenham and the player accepted the guilty verdict but appealed the severity of the sanction.

An independent Appeal Board rejected an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur regarding his recent suspension.

Full statement: https://t.co/Qz9P3HwD1r pic.twitter.com/AA1ZaCIkpS

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 17, 2024

The return of forests is still likely

However, the FA confirmed today that the punishment will remain, meaning that the 27-year-old player, who has already missed the games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton will remain out for the match against ‘ this week in the EFL Cup with Manchester United and the Premier. League game with Liverpool.

His next league appearance is likely to come against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

Bentancur, who was able to play in the Europa League as his ban applies to domestic games only, was described as an “excellent person” by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.

The Australian said: “He understands that he made a mistake and is ready to accept any penalty that comes his way.

“As a club we will support him because, the only thing that cannot be denied for me because I know him, is a great person, an incredible teammate, a person of the greatest character who made a mistake.”