Why Rodrigo Bentancur can play for Tottenham in Europa League vs Roma despite seven-match ban

Ange Postecoglou will have Rodrigo Bentancur to call upon for Tottenham's Europa League tie against Roma despite the player recently receiving a seven-match ban from the FA. Just over a week ago, the Uruguay international received his punishment for comments he made during an interview which contained a racial slur regarding Spurs captain Son Heung-min.

An independent regulatory commission gave the midfielder a seven-game suspension, a £100,000 fine and also ordered him to attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme. The north London club released a statement last Wednesday confirming that they have appealed against the length of Bentancur's suspension, something they believe is "severe".

Bentancur has already served the first game of his seven-match ban after missing out last Saturday as Tottenham recorded an eye-catching 4-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. The 27-year-old is not due to return to Premier League action until Boxing Day when Spurs travel to Nottingham Forest, unless of course the club are successful with their appeal and Bentancur's ban is reduced accordingly.

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Despite his absence for Tottenham's upcoming games, Bentancur can return to the field on Thursday evening when the Lilywhites host Roma in the Europa League. The reason for this is because his FA ban only applies to domestic games, thus meaning he can still feature for his club in the Europa League.

Prior to his comeback in the league, Bentancur will be able to play for Tottenham in their upcoming European fixtures against Roma and Rangers. The two games give Postecoglou the perfect opportunity to start his midfielder to ensure he retains his match sharpness due to the amount of games he is due to miss out on over the next month.

While of course Bentancur will continue to train with the Tottenham squad ahead of their Premier League and Carabao Cup fixtures, there is a big difference between general fitness and match fitness. Speaking to Sky Sports last week about Bentancur's ban and Tottenham's appeal, Postecoglou outlined the importance of making sure the player is "ready to go" once he is available again.

"It's disappointing because he's been great for us this year," said the 59-year-old on Bentancur's ban. "He's one of the ones whose football has gone up a level. But we understood this was kind of coming and there was an acceptance from everyone that whatever the sort of penalties were… I fully support the club's decision to appeal the severity of the ban, but ultimately we know it's going to be for X number of games.

"We will work with Rodrigo through that and make sure within that time he has all our support in all the right ways so when he is available again he's ready to go."

Bentancur's availability for the Roma fixture certainly comes as a boost for Postecoglou as nine players will miss the game against the Italian side. Midfield is one area Tottenham are well stocked in at present but Bentancur will be expected to come straight back into the team on Thursday evening.

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