Tottenham: The 12 games Rodrigo Bentancur could miss after FA charge over Heung-min Son remarks

Tottenham: The 12 games Rodrigo Bentancur could miss after FA charge over Heung-min Son remarks

Tottenham are facing the prospect of being without Rodrigo Bentancur for as many as 12 games during a pivotal period in the early months of the season.

The midfielder is at risk of a long suspension after being charged by the Football Association for suggesting South Korean team-mate Heung-min Son and his cousins “all look the same”.

The midfielder, who made the comment during an interview broadcast in his native Uruguay in June, quickly apologised for the remark, claiming it was a “very bad joke”.

However, he has now been charged by the FA with an “aggravated breach” of its rules and has until September 19 to respond.  

Standard Sport understands, if found guilty, the 27-year-old could be banned for between six and 12 games.

If the maximum sanction is applied, Bentancur will be absent from all English football competitions, namely the Premier League and the early rounds of the Carabao Cup.

The ban would not apply to European football, meaning the player could still feature in his side’s Europa League fixtures.

If Spurs do not progress past Coventry on September 18 in the third round of the Carabao Cup, Bentancur would miss 12 league games, but if they do, he will miss 11 with the fourth round set for the week starting October 30.

The 12 Premier League games Bentancur could miss:

  1. Tottenham vs Brentford – September 21

  2. Manchester United vs Tottenham – September 29

  3. Brighton vs Tottenham – October 6

  4. Tottenham vs West Ham – October 19

  5. Crystal Palace vs Tottenham – October 27

  6. Tottenham vs Aston Villa – November 2

  7. Tottenham vs Ipswich – November 9

  8. Manchester City vs Tottenham – November 23

  9. Tottenham vs Fulham – November 30

  10. Bournemouth vs Tottenham – December 3

  11. Tottenham vs Chelsea – December 7

  12. Tottenham vs Southampton – December 14

All games in November and December subject to TV changes.

Bentancur, if banned for 12 games, would next be available for Spurs in the Premier League when they host Liverpool at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.