Rodrigo Bentancur faces a seven-game ban amid controversy.©(@centregoals)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has yet to return from international duty with Uruguay following a recent controversy. Bentancur was banned for seven games and fined £100,000 after an independent regulatory commission found him guilty of using a racial slur towards his teammate, Son Heung-min, during their time on international duty. Tottenham has announced its decision to appeal the severity of the punishment, describing it as “excessive” while acknowledging that Bentancur made a mistake and should face the consequences.
Postecoglou spoke about the situation after the suspension was confirmed, revealing that he had yet to talk to Bentancur, as the player had yet to return from Uruguay. “It’s disappointing because he’s been great for us this year,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports. “He’s one of the players whose form has increased. But we understood this was coming, and there was an acceptance from everyone that whatever the penalties were… I fully support the club’s decision to appeal the severity of the ban, but ultimately, we know it will be for a certain number of games.”
Despite the setback, Postecoglou reiterated that the club would continue to support Bentancur through the process. “We will work with Rodrigo through that and make sure that, during that time, he has all our support in the right ways, so when he is available again, he’ll be ready to go,” he added. The manager emphasized Bentancur’s good character, stating, “The one thing that’s undeniable to me, because I know him, is that he’s an outstanding person. He’s an unbelievable teammate and of the utmost character who made a mistake. When that happens, we must support him however we can.”
Bentancur’s absence blows Tottenham as they prepare for a crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City this weekend. Spurs will be hoping to secure all three points at the Etihad Stadium despite facing a City side that has struggled in recent weeks. Manchester City have lost their last four matches, but the team has been buoyed by the news that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract with the club. After the announcement, Guardiola admitted that the recent defeats were brutal but stressed that he did not feel it was the right time to leave.
“I felt I could not leave now. Maybe the four defeats were why,” Guardiola explained to the club’s website. “I think we deserve, after four defeats in a row, to bounce back and try to turn the situation. I think we deserve to be here. I am not arrogant to say, but it’s the truth. We have to recover that because right now we don’t have it, and that’s the target we have to do.” In his ninth season at the club, Guardiola expressed his continued passion for Manchester City, adding, “This is my ninth season here. We have experienced so many amazing times together. I have an extraordinary feeling for this football club. Hopefully, now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won. That will be my focus.”
Tottenham, meanwhile, will aim to take advantage of Manchester City’s current struggles as they look to strengthen their position in the Premier League. However, without Bentancur, Spurs must find a way to adapt to a critical midfield role.
