Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bendancour has had his seven-match ban thrown out by an independent anti-graft committee.
Bentancur was sanctioned by the Football Association last month, with 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 a serious breach of FA Rule E3.2 by using abusive and/or abusive words with reference – express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or national origin.
The Uruguayan midfielder appeared on the TV show Pro La Camiseta. Host Rafa Cotelo asked for a Spurs player’s shirt to which Bentancur responded by saying: “Sonny’s? He could also be Sonny’s cousin as they all look the same.”
Tottenham and the player accepted the guilty verdict but appealed the severity of the penalty.
An independent appeals board has rejected an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension.
The full statement: https://t.co/Qz9P3HwD1r pic.twitter.com/AA1ZaCIkpS
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 17, 2024
The return of forests is still possible
However, the FA confirmed today that the ban will stand, meaning the 27-year-old, who has already missed games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton, will be sidelined for this week’s EFL Cup clash with Manchester United and the Premier League. League game with Liverpool.
His next league appearance is likely to come against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
Bedancourt, who was able to play in the Europa League as his ban only applies to domestic matches, was described as an “excellent person” by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
The Australian said: “He understands he has made a mistake and is ready to accept whatever penalty comes his way.
“As a club we will support him because, the one thing that is indisputable for me because I know him, he is an outstanding person, an incredible team-mate, a person of the highest character who has made a mistake.”
