An unfortunate joke in an interview and Rodrigo Bentancur, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, risks a suspension for racism. The Uruguayan, who arrived in London after his adventure at Juventus, answered a question in an interview about his teammate Son Heung-min, a South Korean winger and linchpin of the London team. “Sonny? He could be his cousin, they are all the same and look alike,” said Bentancur, joking about the Asian player’s features.
The words to the Canale 10 broadcaster did not please many viewers who reported the case to the NGO Kick It Out, active against all forms of discrimination. Bentancur apologized for the phrase and Son tried to shelve the matter saying that his teammate “made a mistake”. The Football Association, the English football federation, did not make allowances: an investigation was opened and now Bentancur is under accusation for the alleged violation of the rules. The Uruguayan is said to have acted “inappropriately” and could be punished for verbal abuse and insults. The reference to Son’s nationality and ethnicity constitutes an aggravating factor.