Tottenham Hotspur have not imposed a fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for using a racial slur against teammate Son Heung-min, despite the midfielder being found guilty of “aggravated misconduct” by the Football Association (FA). Bentancur was recently handed a seven-match ban and a £100,000 fine by the FA, but sources have revealed that the club has not taken any additional disciplinary action against him.

Tottenham has publicly supported Bentancur regarding the comments he made about Son during a TV interview in June, while in Uruguay. In the interview, the 27-year-old was asked to name a Spurs player whose shirt he would like to have. Bentancur responded, “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.” The club has accepted the FA’s verdict but is appealing the length of the ban, aiming to reduce it to six matches.

The club’s stance is reportedly based on their belief that Bentancur did not intend to cause any offense with his remarks and was instead pushing back against a question he found offensive. During the FA hearing, Bentancur argued that his response was sarcastic, prompted by the interviewer referring to Son as “the Korean.”

Following the broadcast of the interview, Bentancur publicly apologized for any offense caused and personally apologized to Son, which the Spurs captain accepted. Instead of further punishing Bentancur, Tottenham has opted to enhance diversity and equality training for their players, which was conducted over the summer. Additionally, the FA has mandated that Bentancur attend an extra face-to-face education program.

Bentancur’s seven-match ban commences with Tottenham’s match against Manchester City on Saturday and includes five more Premier League games, as well as the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on 19 December. Tottenham’s appeal against the ban’s length is ongoing, with the best possible outcome being a one-game reduction, which would allow Bentancur to return for the Premier League match against Liverpool on 22 December.

Tottenham has declined to comment on their decision not to fine Bentancur.

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