# Tottenham Midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur Charged by FA for Racial Slur Towards Son Heung-min
## Bentancur’s Offensive Comment and Subsequent Apology
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for using a racial slur about his teammate, Son Heung-min. The incident occurred during an appearance on Uruguayan TV in June when Bentancur was asked for a Tottenham shirt. In response, he made an offensive comment, stating, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Bentancur later apologized on Instagram, acknowledging that his comments were a “very bad joke.” However, the FA has determined that his actions constituted a breach of FA rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview.
## The FA’s Statement and Aggravated Breach
The FA released a statement indicating that Bentancur has been charged with acting in an improper manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words and/or bringing the association into disrepute. The statement further specified that the charge is considered an aggravated breach, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.
## Potential Sanctions and Length of Ban
According to the FA’s published regulations on discrimination, match-based sanctions of 6-12 games are recommended for almost all acts of discrimination by individual participants. Therefore, Bentancur could potentially face a ban of this length if found guilty.
## Deadline for Response
Bentancur has until Thursday, September 19 to respond to the charge. The outcome of the case will be determined through the FA’s regulatory commissions.
## Kick It Out’s Response and Highlighting Wider Issues
At the time of the incident, anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out reported receiving a significant number of complaints about Bentancur’s racial slur. They highlighted that this incident shed light on a broader issue that heavily affects East Asian and wider communities.
## Son Heung-min’s Reaction and Reconciliation
Son Heung-min, the target of Bentancur’s offensive comment, confirmed that the midfielder had apologized to him. Son emphasized that Bentancur’s remark was a mistake and that he believes his teammate did not intend to say something intentionally offensive. Son expressed that their relationship remains unchanged and that they are united as brothers, ready to fight for their club in the upcoming season.
## Conclusion
The FA’s decision to charge Rodrigo Bentancur for using a racial slur towards Son Heung-min sends a significant message about the importance of combating discrimination in football. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to address racial and ethnic issues within the sport and emphasizes the need for education, awareness, and consequences for such behavior. The outcome of this case will be closely monitored, as it will set a precedent for future incidents of similar nature.