Racist phrase towards a teammate, huge disqualification and huge fine for Bentancur

The Football Association has imposed seven match ban and one maxi-fine of 100 thousand pounds to Rodrigo Bentancur for racism: the former Juve midfielder, now at Tottenham, was found guilty of improper conduct for the use of offensive words” aggravated by the reference to race and/or ethnic origin” towards the fellow South Korean Son Heung-min.

The offending expression dates back to a television broadcast last June. When asked by the host to provide a t-shirt from a companion, Bentancur joked about Son: “The ‘Sonny’ one? It could also be his cousin’s, they all look the same…”. The 27-year-old Uruguayan then denied that his phrase was racist but apologized to Son and anyone who felt offended. Bentancur will return to the pitch on 26 December, missing several big matches in the Premier League but not the Europa League match against Roma.