Tottenham Hotspur’s Rodrigo Bentancur has been formally charged by the Football Association (FA) after making a racially insensitive comment about his teammate Son Heung-min during a television appearance in Uruguay. Bentancur has since expressed regret for his remarks, calling them a “very bad joke” on social media.
In June, Bentancur appeared on Uruguayan television, where a presenter asked him to provide a Tottenham shirt. In response, Bentancur mentioned that it could belong to Son Heung-min or “Sonny’s cousin, since they all look the same.” The remark sparked immediate criticism for perpetuating racial stereotypes.
The FA charged Bentancur for violating FA rule E3, which deals with misconduct, following his comments. The association accused the midfielder of acting improperly, using offensive language, and damaging the sport’s reputation. The FA also noted that the breach was aggravated due to references, direct or implied, to race, nationality, or ethnicity.
After the incident, Bentancur personally apologised to Son, and the two players have since reconciled. Son stated that Bentancur realised his mistake and apologised directly to him. The South Korean player emphasized that Bentancur’s comment was not intended to be offensive and that their bond as teammates remains strong. Son added that they have moved beyond the situation and are focused on the upcoming season.
The anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out reported receiving a significant number of complaints about Bentancur’s comment, stressing that such incidents highlight larger issues faced by East Asian and broader communities.
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