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Every Tottenham game Rodrigo Bentancur could miss in nightmare ban scenario

Tottenham players Rodrigo Bentancur and Son Heung-Min
-Credit: (Image: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)


Ange Postecglou could be dealt with a worst-case scenario if Rodrigo Bentancur is punished by the FA following comments he made earlier this year relating to Tottenham teammate Son Heung-min. The Uruguay international was charged with an alleged breach of rules on Thursday.

If upheld, the 27-year-old could be banned for as many as 12 matches. In an interview shown in June conducted by Uruguayan TV, Bentancue is asked: "Can you get me the shirt from the Korean?" to which Bentancur replied "Sonny?" and the journalist said "Or any other champion?" Bentancur then responded: "Or any cousin of Sonny, they all look more or less the same!" to which the reporter replied "Yes, of course!!"

The FA write in a statement that Benatcur "acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute." It continues to say that, "It’s 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 has until Thursday 19 September 2024 to provide a response to this charge."

Bentancur can play in the meantime for Tottenham, with the headline match against Arsenal in the North London Derby to come on Sunday. He will also be available for the Carabao Cup third round tie against Coventry on Wednesday, September 18.

Should the FA choose to sanction Bentancur, it could leave Postecoglou without one his key players for up to 12 games, football.london understands. Match-based sanctions are recommended to be between six to 12 games for most aggravated breaches, especially as a first offence.

Bentancur can still deny the charge, but if he accepts then the commission will decide what punishment is necessary. He is already serving a ban from international football following the Copa America semi-final against Columbia over the summer.

READ MORE: The hefty ban Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur will face if FA charge upheld

READ MORE: Rodrigo Bentancur charged by the FA over Son Heung-min comments

For Tottenham, this may well benefit them in the short term as his load is managed following a season of injuries. However, there are some big games coming up.

Although possible dates are unknown, if he was to be banned from September 19 onward the next six domestic games would include the visit of Brentford to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, a visit to Old Trafford, and a trip to Brighton. Spurs also then host West Ham, face Crystal Palace at Selhurt Park, and then welcome Aston Villa to north London.

Should a punishment be given, this would be the best-case scenario, although Tottenham could also have a Carabao Cup fourth-round and quarter-final in there as well which would be the seventh and eighth matches towards the ban. In a worst-case picture, Bentancur would also be ineligible for matches against Ipswich and Fulham (home), as well as Manchester City and Bournemouth (away).

In the middle, Spurs also have Europa League group phase matches to play. Bentancur would be available to feature in these games which includes home ties against Qarabag, AZ Alkmaar, and Roma, with away games at Ferencvaros and Galatasaray.

Postecoglou's other midfield options in the potential absence of Bentancur includes Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma in the deeper roles. James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski have also been used as attacking No.8s.

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