Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur handed seven-game ban after Son Heung-min comments

Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-game ban and a £100,000 fine by an independent regulatory commission for his comments about Son Heung-min during pre-season.

Bentancur has been a key member of Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham team this season, only missing one Premier League match due to concussion earlier in the season.

But Postecoglou will have to do without the Uruguayan for an extended period of time now, with the FA handing down a seven-game suspension - for domestic matches - after charging the south American over racist comments he made in an interview about Spurs teammate Son Heung-min.

READ MORE: Tottenham star caught up in Nations League chaos as players walk off pitch in protest

READ MORE: Two signings, £77m spent, seven depart – Tottenham's January transfer window predicted

The FA statement on Monday said: "An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

"It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute. It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

"Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent regulatory commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing."

During a televised interview ahead of the Copa America, the Spurs midfielder was asked by a reporter for a shirt from one of his team-mates. The reporter asked: "Can you get me the shirt from the Korean?" to which Bentancur asked "Sonny?" and the journalist said "Or any other champion?". Bentancur replied: "Or any cousin of Sonny, they all look more or less the same!" to which the reporter replied "Yes, of course!!"

With the ban now confirmed, Bentancur will miss six Premier League games and the Carabao Cup quarter-final with Manchester United, before being able to return to action on Boxing Day. He will currently be able to play in Tottenham's Europa League matches.

Spurs now have a set amount of time to decide whether to appeal the decision or not.