Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur looks set to be sidelined for seven matches for his comments about Spurs teammate Son Heung-min in pre-season, football.london understands.
The midfielder was sanctioned by the Football Association in early September and looks set to receive his punishment from the FA ahead of the return of the Premier League after the third international break of the season. And that punishment is set to be a seven-game ban.
During a televised interview ahead of the Copa America, the Spurs midfielder attempted to make a joke when a reporter asked for a shirt from one of his team-mates. The reporter asked: "Can you get me the shirt from the Korean?" to which Bentancur asked " Sonny?" and the journalist said "Or any other champion?". Bentancur replied: "Or any cousin of Sonny, they all look more or less the same!" to which the reporter replied "Yes, of course!!"
Bentancur was charged by the FA with a breach of Rule E3 and it was deemed an "aggravated breach". In a statement, the FA said: " Rodrigo Bentancur has been charged with an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 for misconduct in relation to a media interview.
"It’s alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder has breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.
"It’s further alleged that this constitutes an 'aggravated breach' which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin."
The punishment for such an offence is anywhere between six games and 12 games from the FA, with the Spurs star likely to receive a ban on the more lenient side of thing. But that will not make things any easier for Ange Postecoglou.
Bentancur has been a key member of the Spurs squad this season, missing just one Premier League match through concussion. Now he will be missing for seven matches, with another match hanging over his head for five yellow cards too, with the Uruguayan on four already this season.
The games Bentancur will miss:
Saturday, November 23 - Man City (A)
Sunday, December 1 - Fulham (H)
Thursday, December 5 - Bournemouth (A)
Sunday, December 8 - Chelsea (H)
Sunday, December 15 - Southampton (A)
Thursday, December 19 - Manchester United (H) - Carabao Cup quarter-final
Sunday, December 22 - Liverpool (H)