Rodrigo Bentancur Facing FA Ban Over Remarks – What It Means for Spurs

Good morning, The Football Newsletter readers,

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur is expected to receive a significant ban following comments made about his teammate Son Heung-min that have resulted in charges from the Football Association (FA). Today, we break down what happened, Bentancur’s response, and what this could mean for Spurs as they head into a demanding stretch of the season.

What Happened?

Bentancur, 27, came under fire in September after appearing on Uruguayan TV programme Por la Camiseta. During the show, he made a comment about Son and his family, saying, “Sonny, or a cousin of Sonny, they all look the same.” Although Bentancur quickly apologised—both privately to Son and publicly on social media—the FA deemed his words a breach of conduct.

Bentancur was subsequently charged with acting in an “improper manner” and “using abusive and/or insulting words.” The FA further noted that his remarks constituted an “aggravated breach” of Rule E3.2, which addresses conduct involving references to nationality, race, or ethnic origin.

While the exact length of the suspension has yet to be announced, reports suggest it could be substantial, potentially sidelining Bentancur for several important matches.