Football
Tottenham’s Rodrigo Bentancur Charged With ‘Aggravated Breach’ Of FA Rules Over Heung-Min Son Comments
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing, and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished12 Sep 2024
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged ‘aggravated breach’ of FA rules over comments he made on Uruguayan television about Heung-min Son over the summer.
Bentancur Charged Over Heung-min Son Comments
The Football Association has confirmed that Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged ‘aggravated breach’ of FA Rule E3 for ‘misconduct in relation to a media interview’, which is in regards to comments he made about Spurs teammate Heung-min Son on Uruguayan television.
In a statement released by the FA Spokesperson, it is alleged that the 27-year-old is in breach of FA Rule E3.1 as he ‘acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute’.
It is also alleged that this constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’ under FA Rule E3.2, as the comments made included a reference to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) September 12, 2024
Bentancur was asked by interview host Rafa Cotelo for a Spurs shirt in June, to which the player responded: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too, as they all look the same.”
He received immediate backlash on social media when the clip and translation surfaced on the internet, which prompted him to make a public apology to his club captain.
“Sonny brother, I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke,” he wrote.
“You know I love you, and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!”
Son: “He Made A Mistake, He Knows This And Has Apologised”
In response, South Korea international Son confirmed that he’d privately spoken to Bentancur, who had also issued a personal apology to the forward.
“I’ve spoken with Rodrigo Bentancur. He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised.
“Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers, and nothing has changed at all.
“We’re past this, we’re united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one.”
Bentancur has until Thursday, 19 September, 2024, to provide a response to the charge.
In other Tottenham news, they host a depleted Arsenal in the latest instalment of the North London Derby on Sunday afternoon, with some of the best football betting sites pricing Ange Postecoglou’s side at 2/1 to reign victorious.