Tottenham have failed in their appeal to reduce Rodrigo Bentancur's seven-game ban.

The Spurs midfielder was banned last month for his racist remark against Heung-min Son.

Spurs appealed in a bid to get the ban reduced by one game, so Bentancur could be available to return to face Liverpool on Sunday.

But the FA have confirmed the ban has been upheld.

A statement from the FA said: “An independent Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension.

“An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a seven-match suspension on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

“This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the Regulatory Commission.

“The Appeal Board’s written reasons for its decision will be published in due course.”

Bentancur suggested South Koreans “all look the same” during an appearance on Uruguayan TV in June.

He issued an apology for his comment and Spurs and Son also released statements of their own, with Son insisting he and Bentancur remain “brothers”.

The 27-year-old has missed games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton. He will also be banned for Thursday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United. Bentancur has still been able to play in the Europa League.

He will be available again for Spurs in the Premier League at Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.