Bentancur faces FA charge for offensive comment on Son Heung-min
- Rodrigo Bentancur was charged with misconduct by the FA after making an offensive comment about South Koreans.
- The comment was made during a June appearance on a Uruguayan television show, where he joked about Son Heung-min's nationality.
- Bentancur has until September 19 to respond to the charge, while remaining available to play.
Rodrigo Bentancur, a midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, has been charged with misconduct by the English Football Association (FA) following an incident that occurred three months prior. During a June appearance on a Uruguayan television show, Bentancur made an offensive remark regarding South Koreans while discussing his teammate Son Heung-min. When asked about obtaining a jersey from a Tottenham player, he jokingly suggested it could be Son's cousin, implying that 'more or less they are all the same.' The FA's charge against Bentancur is serious, as it alleges that he acted in an improper manner and used abusive or insulting language, which brought the game into disrepute. The governing body has classified the incident as an aggravated breach due to its reference to nationality and ethnic origin. This classification highlights the FA's commitment to addressing issues of racism and discrimination within football. In response to the backlash, Bentancur took to Instagram to apologize to Son, describing his comment as a 'very bad joke' and assuring him that he would never intend to disrespect or hurt him. This public apology indicates Bentancur's recognition of the inappropriateness of his remarks and his desire to mend relations with his teammate. Bentancur has until September 19 to respond to the FA's charge, but he remains eligible to play for Tottenham in the meantime. The outcome of this situation could have implications for both his career and the club's reputation, as football continues to grapple with issues of racism and cultural sensitivity.