Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said Rodrigo Bentancur had made a “mistake” for making a racial slur about team-mate Son Heung-min but said he was supporting club’s appeal against the length of his seven-match ban
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has called Rodrigo Bentancur “an outstanding person” after his seven-match ban for comments about team-mate Son Heung-min – and said the club would support him through his suspension.
Bentancur will miss a huge chunk of games for Spurs after an interview with a Uruguayan TV station earlier this year where he was asked for Son’s shirt and replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
The midfielder has also been fined £100,000, with Tottenham confirming they accept his guilty verdict but insisting they would lodge an appeal against the severity of the ban.
Postecoglou said Bentancur had made a “mistake” but said he was supporting Tottenham’s appeal, adding that the player and club were bracing for a lengthy ban before the punishment was officially handed down.
“It’s obviously disappointing because he’s been great for us this year,” Postecoglou said. “He’s one of the ones whose football has gone up a level. But we understood that this was coming and there was an acceptance that whatever the penalties were, I fully support the club’s decision to appeal the severity of the ban.
“Ultimately we know it’s going to be for X amount of games and we’ll work with Rodrigo through that time to make sure he has all our support so when he’s available again he’s ready to go.”
Bentancur – who has apologised to Son for the slur – has been one of Tottenham’s best players this season, starting seven Premier League games and scoring in their last game, which was a 2-1 home defeat to Ipswich, with his absence coming as a huge blow to the team.
Postecoglou defended Bentancur after his comments, saying they were uncharacteristic for him and that he was “a person of utmost character”.
“I haven’t spoken to him since it came out because he’s been away with Uruguay and he’s not quite back yet,” he added. “I had spoken to him in the lead up to it. He understands he’s made a mistake and prepared to accept whatever penalty that comes this way.
“We as a club are going to support him because the one thing that’s undeniable to me – I know him, he’s an outstanding person – he’s an unbelievable team-mate, he’s a person of the utmost character that’s made a mistake. I think when that happens our role is to support him in any way we can.”
The first game Bentancur will miss is Tottenham’s trip to Manchester City this Saturday, followed by games against Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, Manchester United and Liverpool. He will still be available in the Europa League.
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