Rodrigo Bentancur: Used as an example by The FA
On Monday, Tottenham Hotspur and their fans woke up to confirmation that Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will be banned for seven games. As well as this he has been fined £100,000 by The FA for his racist comments towards teammate and club captain Son Heung-Min.
He was charged by The FA for breaching Rule E3 during an interview on Uruguayan television. He was asked about Son’s shirt to which he replied, “Sonny? Or one of Sonny’s cousins as they all look more or less the same.”
At the time of Bentancur’s statement, a response from Son himself was released on the official Spurs X (formerly Twitter) account saying “I’ve spoken with Lolo [Bentancur]. He made a mistake; he knows this and has apologised… we are brothers, and nothing has changed at all. We’re past this, we’re united.”
Spurs supported the idea that a line could be drawn under the incident, adding that they would also provide “further education for all players in line with our diversity, equality and inclusion objectives.”
The ban
The main talking point surrounding the ban seems to be the length of it. A seven-game ban for something that the victim himself said had been dealt with and moved on from seems excessively harsh from The FA.
In an exclusive report for The Telegraph, Matt Law stated that “the severity of the ban and the process behind the decision shocked rivals of Spurs, who they felt had been made an example of.”
Other cases from this year alone, like Enzo Fernandez racially abusing the France squad, or Rodri’s comments on Gibraltar, have either yet to be resolved or be punished in a manner far less severe than the one that has befallen Bentancur.
The difference with them, apparently, is that they happened on international duty and so fall under the jurisdiction of FIFA, rather than the English FA.
Bentancur’s comments were made on Uruguayan TV, in Uruguay, days before the Copa America started. Surely, as with the others, it should’ve been left as a matter for FIFA to consider.
The appeal
Within the same article, Matt Law also revealed that Spurs are challenging the decision to give Bentancur a seven game ban.
In their statement on the matter, Spurs say “While we accept the guilty finding against Rodrigo by the independent regulatory commission, we believe the subsequent sanction is severe.”
Tottenham have to go about this in a very delicate way. Any wrong move, and they will be crucified. Them appealing a punishment for racist abuse, in and of itself, brings negative connotations and thoughts at face value.
But there is a genuine belief that Bentancur, despite his stupidity, has been hard done by and has been used, as much as anything, as an example of what can happen and almost as a deterrent against actions like the ones he has taken.
It is unclear when or how the appeal will be conducted, but it will have to be done in a prompt manner if the ban is to be cut down.
It also in the midst of Spurs announcing a new rebrand, which includes mentions of challenging the use of the word “Yid” to refer to Spurs fans due to its controversial and racial past.
Bentancur’s comments, and the ban coming right as they announce this, dilutes the message somewhat. It softens the impact of what would otherwise be a very important and valuable lesson for fans to learn.
What will he miss?
Tottenham will be without Bentancur for several key matches, if the full length of the ban is upheld and served. Ange Postecoglou will have to find a way of getting Spurs out of their bad run of form without him.
The first game without Bentancur, inconveniently for Spurs, is a trip to the Etihad to face defending Premier League champions Manchester City. After this, Spurs play Fulham at home and Bournemouth away.
A mammoth clash follows as Spurs welcome West London rivals Chelsea to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Bottom of the table Southampton away succeeds that game.
It’s the next two games where his absence will be felt the most as back-to-back home games versus Manchester United, in the Carabao Cup, and Liverpool in the league give no rest for Spurs in a relentless December schedule.
He will return currently, pending the appeal and no injury issues, in the away match against high flying Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.
It is important to note that this is only a domestic ban. Bentancur will be free to play the upcoming Europa League games versus Roma and Rangers.
What Bentancur said was racist, it would be foolish and wrong to try and argue otherwise. The debate surrounds the length of the ban itself and whether or not it actually fell on The FA to punish him, or whether it should’ve been left to FIFA.