Bryan King has labelled the Football Association “ridiculous” as Tottenham star faces a potential ban after his recent remarks about Son Heung-min.
The ex-Spurs scout believes the Tottenham midfielder made a “mistake”.
As reported by the Standard (12 September), the FA have charged Bentancur after he suggested South Korean team-mate Son and his cousins “all look the same” during an interview broadcast in his native Uruguay in June.
Bentancur is facing a potential ban of between six and 12 games. He has until Thursday 19 September to respond to the charge.
The 27-year-old apologised after the incident, with Son accepting his apology and Spurs insisting that the club captain wanted to draw a line under the incident (via ESPN, 20 June).
And King – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – feels that this should have been enough.
“This was silly of Bentancur,” King said.
“He has to realise that television channels, whether they’re in Uruguay or even the Arctic, will be seen in other parts of the world. However, he did the right thing by apologising and apologising personally to Son.
“Son accepted the apology too. Therefore, that is the case closed in my opinion.
“The FA are making something out of nothing, it is ridiculous. This situation should be dead and buried. I think the comment was a little bit tongue in cheek, I don’t think there was any racist intent behind it.
“However, Bentancur realised he made a mistake and apologised, you can’t do any more than that. If Son wanted to take it further than fine, but as far as I’m aware Son has accepted the apology and life goes on.
“All of a sudden the newspapers get hold of the story and it is a major incident. It isn’t a major incident, the whole thing is ridiculous. I mean a 12-game ban. He has apologised, Son has accepted it, who else can he apologise too?”
Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur facing 12-match ban
Losing Bentancur for 12 matches would be a huge blow for Ange Postecoglou, especially considering the form of some of his other midfielders.
However, in a situation such as this, football must come second.
Whether or not people feel that an apology is enough – an opinion that ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson certainly doesn’t share – banning Bentancur will make an example of the player.
It will demonstrate to others that these kinds of comments are not acceptable.
It was positive to see that Bentancur apologised. However, he might have to yet stomach further punishment.
