Tottenham LOSE appeal over Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-game FA ban for ‘racial slur’ about Son Heung-min – with midfielder to miss two key crunch matches

The Football Association have dismissed Tottenham’s appeal to have Rodrigo Bentancur’s ban for using a ‘racial slur’ against team-mate Son Heung-min reduced.

Spurs had hoped they would be able to bring the midfielder back into the fray sooner amidst a chaotic festive schedule – that will now see him miss games against Man United and Liverpool – after Bentancur made the alleged racist remark during a television interview.

The club did not want to contest the guilt of Bentancur’s remarks but attempted to challenge the length of the initial seven-match ban that had been imposed.

Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel exclusively revealed earlier in November that the FA were set to hit the Uruguayan with a huge ban following the incident. He was subsequently given his seven-game sanction and fined £100,000. 

The FA have a minimum timespan of six games for bans pertaining to racial abuse but gave Bentancur an extra game as they felt his comments constituted an ‘aggravated breach’. 

However, Tottenham’s appeal has now been dismissed by the FA who issued a short statement before confirming they would release extended details for their decision at a later date.

Bentancur was banned for using a ‘racial slur’ against team-mate Son-Heung min (right)

Rejecting Spurs’ claim to have the ban reduced, the FA stated: ‘An independent Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension.

‘An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a seven-match suspension on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

‘This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the Regulatory Commission.

‘The Appeal Board’s written reasons for its decision will be published in due course.’

Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June.

Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou (right) had hoped to have Bentancur’s (left) ban reduced

The interview showed Bentancur being asked by the host of Canal 10 to show the shirt of a Spurs player to which he replied: ‘Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.’

While Bentancur swiftly apologised, due to this being an ‘aggravated breach’, an independent regulatory commission panel was required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The 27-year-old has so far missed Premier League matches against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton, but has been permitted to play in the Europa League.

He will be back available for league selection on Boxing Day when Spurs travel to face Nottingham Forest.