Rodrigo Bentancur faces 12-match ban at Tottenham
Rodrigo Bentancur faces 12-match ban at Tottenham

Rodrigo Bentancur told apology not enough as Tottenham star faces 12-match ban

Paul Robinson

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson played 175 times for Tottenham between 2004 and 2008, winning the League Cup with Spurs in the 2007/08 season. Since hanging up his gloves in 2017, Robinson has moved into the world of punditry and can be regularly seen or heard on Sky Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live. Tottenham News is now delighted to present Robinson as part of its team of experts.

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Paul Robinson has told Rodrigo Bentancur an apology "doesn't suffice" after making racist remarks towards Tottenham teammate Son Heung-Min.

The Uruguayan midfielder is facing a 12-match ban from the FA [The Standard, 13 September] after suggesting Son and his cousins "all look the same" during an interview in his native country back in June.

While Bentancur has apologised privately to the player, saying he made a "very bad joke", Robinson believes the potential ban would be a fair punishment, with "no room" for racism in the game.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, he said: "We work so hard on kicking racism out of football. We've said for a very long time that there's no room for it. There's no place in the game for it at all.

"So, an apology doesn't suffice. What can be passed off, in some peoples' eyes, as dressing room banter doesn't wash anymore. There has to be a fair punishment for what he's done."

Rodrigo Bentancur faces lengthy ban at Tottenham after Son Heung-Min comments

As Robinson states, there is absolutely no room in football for racist remarks, whether Bentancur feels remorse for making the comments or not. The FA have to set an example for the rest of the sport.

Of course, missing the midfielder for 12 games would be a huge blow for Ange Postecoglou, with the 27-year-old still adapting to life in North London, but he must be punished.

Drama seems to be following Spurs everywhere this season - not just losing the North London derby against Arsenal, but also Yves Bissouma's internal ban after footage emerged of him inhaling laughing gas.

Tottenham, Son Heung-min
Son Heung-min is Tottenham captain

Postecoglou will be extremely disappointed with the actions of some of his players recently, and he may now have to play several games without one of his most important midfield stars.

Hopefully, this potential ban will show players and fans just how seriously the FA are taking comments such as Bentancur's as they attempt to stamp racism out of football.

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