Tottenham Faces Backlash Over Bentancur’s Racist Comments and Controversial Appeal Decision

[OSEN=정승우 기자] “Bentancur’s apology wasn’t even sincere.”

The British Mirror highlighted Tottenham’s behavior on the 22nd (Korean time), saying, “Tottenham Hotspur is the only club. They pretend to be strict about racial discrimination, but their views change when their players are involved.

The British Football Association (FA) announced in an official announcement on the 18th, “Rodrigo Bentancur (27, Tottenham) has been suspended for seven matches and fined 100,000 pounds (about 176 million won) .”

Bentancur’s ‘racism’ happened on the Uruguayan broadcast ‘Fore La Camiseta’ last June. After hearing the host’s request for Son Heung-min’s dress, Bentancur smiled and said, “That dress could be Son Heung-min’s cousin. They all look alike.” This was interpreted as a comment that disparaged the appearance of Asians, including Koreans, and caused controversy.

Afterwards, Bentancur apologized to Son Heung-min, and Son Heung-min accepted, but the FA explained, “Bentancur acted in an inappropriate manner, using abusive words, bringing bad reputation , and violates FA regulation E3.1. ” action.

Bentancur strongly denied all the allegations made to the FA. He said the statement was just a joke and had no racist intent. However, after a hearing, the independent committee decided that his comments were clearly against the rules.

The FA said: “This was said to be an aggravated offense as set out in FA Rule E3.2 as the comments included references to nationality, race or ethnic origin. Bentancur denied the allegation, but the committee found that the behavior was justified and gave it after the hearing, sanctions were applied,” he explained.

Tottenham chose Bentancur to replace Son Heung-min. The official said his 7-game ban was too much and decided to appeal.

In response, the Mirror said, “Tottenham’s decision to appeal sends the wrong message. Bentancur has insulted 52 million Koreans, including his team-mate and captain. However, Tottenham said that Banned Bentancur from playing against Liverpool. “They are showing displeasure,” he said. said.

The media said, “It was generally believed that Tottenham would respond more sensitively to this case of racism, but instead they believe that Bentancur was unfairly punished. What Bentancur said about Son Heung- min on the air is shameful. the claim is even more shameful,” he said, criticizing the club’s absurd decision.

He said: “Every time Tottenham take part in a Premier League campaign against racism and discrimination, remember their decision to face the ban of a player who said his -all Koreans look the same there is always a ‘but~’ argument in these events. “Yes,” he said.

The Mirror said: “Tottenham seem to think that Bentancur’s apology to Son Heung-min should be grounds for a lesser punishment. I apologised, but it was just to avoid criticism.”

Criticism of the club’s absurd decision continued. The media said, “Tottenham are trying to play Bentancur in the home game against Liverpool in December. The bad thing here is that Tottenham had no judgment and did not respond sensibly,” said e,” A member of the team made a racist comment. “We need to accept him, educate him and help him grow. /reccos23@osen.co.kr

Seungwoo Jeong (reccos23@osen.co.kr)