Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-Min Son expressed his support for teammate Rodrigo Bentancur, despite serious allegations against him. Bentancur is facing charges from the Football Association (FA) for making a racist comment during a media interview over the summer.
The issue arose from a segment on a Canal 10 show that aired in June. During the show, Bentancur was asked to show a Tottenham player’s shirt. He allegedly replied, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too, since they all look alike.” This comment was seen as offensive and led to Bentancur being charged with misconduct.
After the incident, Bentancur issued an apology. The FA categorized this as an “aggravated breach,” meaning it was taken very seriously. If the charge is confirmed by a regulatory commission, Bentancur could face a suspension of six to twelve domestic games.
Before Tottenham’s Europa League match against Qarabağ FK, Son addressed the situation. He said, “At the moment, because of the FA process, I can’t say much about it.” However, he emphasized his strong feelings for Bentancur, stating, “But I love Rodrigo, I love him.”
Son recalled the good memories they have shared since Bentancur joined the team. He mentioned that Bentancur apologized sincerely after the incident, even sending Son a heartfelt message while they were on holiday. Son said he didn’t initially realize what had happened and appreciated the way Bentancur approached him to express his regret.
When they returned for pre-season training, Bentancur reportedly felt very remorseful and even cried during his apology. Son said, “He felt like he was really sorry. We are all human and all make mistakes and we learn from it.”
He reiterated his affection for Bentancur, emphasizing that there are no hard feelings between them. “I love Rodrigo. I love him, I love him,” Son said. He affirmed their bond, saying they would move on together as teammates and friends.
In summary, despite the serious nature of the allegations against Bentancur, Son stands by him. He recognizes the importance of learning from mistakes and values their friendship. Sos statements reflect a commitment to supporting his teammate during a challenging time.
