Tottenham are considering appealing Rodrigo Bentancur’s disciplinary action.
The British Telegraph reported on the 19th (Korea time) that “Tottenham was shocked by the seven-game suspension decision made by the English Football Association (FA) over racist remarks against Son Heung-min.”
The FA announced the disciplinary action on its official website on the 8th, saying, “The Independent Regulatory Commission suspended Rodrigo Bentancur for seven games and fined him £100,000 (about 176.5 million won) for violating FA regulation E3 in connection with media interviews.”
Bentancur was indicted and disciplined because of his racist remarks in June. The beginning was an interview Bentancur conducted with his country’s Uruguayan media. At the time, when the interviewer asked to get Son Heung-min’s uniform, Bentancur replied with racist remarks, “What about his cousin’s uniform. Son Heung-min and his cousin look exactly the same.”
Since then, the remarks have sparked controversy, and fans’ anger has not subsided despite Bentancourt’s apology. It was all the more disappointing because it was a rude comment from a teammate toward Son Heung-min, one of the best players in the English Premier League. Since then, Son Heung-min has posted on his personal SNS that he forgave Bentancourt, and the incident has gradually subsided.
However, the FA had no intention of sitting idly by in this case. In September, the FA indicted Bentancourt on charges of violating FA regulations for cheating related to media interviews such as racism, and conducted an investigation for disciplinary action. Eventually, with this announcement, Bentancourt will not be able to play in league games against Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, Liverpool, or League Cup against Manchester City, starting with the upcoming league schedule.
The Telegraph 야옹이 reportedly said, “Many clubs were surprised by the duration and process of Bentancourt’s disciplinary action, and were perceived to be different from the punishment given to other players for racist behavior. Tottenham and Bentancourt were examples, and I believe that the player’s apology and Son Heung-min’s support were also used unfavorably,” he said.
“Tottenham has the right to appeal the ruling and is considering this step. The club has not yet mentioned the disciplinary action, but I think there is embarrassment and frustration about it,” he said, explaining that Tottenham is embarrassed by Bentancourt’s disciplinary action and is considering an appeal.
Tottenham disappointed its fans by keeping silent until Son Heung-min’s apology came out in June, when racism occurred. Despite the disrespect of a colleague for the captain’s ten-year commitment to the club, he closed his mouth. At the time, the fans’ anger was the most, but Tottenham accounts in other countries continued to post news and were criticized for deceiving fans. Afterwards, it was only after Son Heung-min’s apology that he finally opened his position.
Despite Son’s forgiveness, the situation did not end, and Bentancourt himself has a chance to reflect on his actions again. However, if Tottenham appeals in such a situation with embarrassment and frustration over the punishment, it will only have to defend and defend Bentancourt’s actions. It is hardly a courtesy to Son.
If Bentancourt loses his chance to correct his wrongdoings with a hasty appeal, he will forever remain with fans as the club’s bad precedent for racism.