Tottenham star Rodrigo Bentancur has started his seven-game suspension from the Manchester City fixture
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches for his statement about his club’s captain Son Heung-min in a TV interview in June. He was handed a seven-match ban and £100,000 fine by the FA last week after being found guilty of “aggravated misconduct”.
Spurs have accepted the FA’s guilty finding but have appealed against the length of the central midfielder’s ban and hope to get it reduced to six matches. Head coach Ange Postecoglou has defended the club’s right to appeal for the Uruguayan international’s lengthy ban.
Rodrigo Bentancur has commenced his ban from last weekend, sitting out the Lilywhites’ 4-0 demolition of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League. Reputed GIVEMESPORT correspondent Ben Jacobs shared an update on the club’s appeal for the midfielder, stating that they will only be able to reduce his suspension by one game thanks to the Premier League’s rules.
Now, former Aberdeen, Aston Villa and Everton CEO Keith Wyness has asserted he would be amazed if Tottenham failed in their appeal to reduce Bentancur’s hefty ban. The 66-year-old has sympathised with Spurs and the 27-year-old after the “ridiculously heavy” punishment slapped by the FA.
“I’m not surprised they’ve appealed this,” Keith Wyness told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast.
“The FA put draconian punishments in place. They are way beyond any natural punishments, they are ridiculously heavy. When you look at the case itself, the normal tariff is six games.
“When you read the comments and what Son has said, it’s obviously a clumsy thing to say for Bentancur.
“The FA have come in with seven games, it’s ridiculous. They should’ve given him an education program, or helped him become a spokesman on these issues. I’m sure he would have done that.
“I’d be amazed if it isn’t reduced to six, and it should be even less than that. It’s just clumsy wording. I feel sorry for Spurs and I feel sorry for Bentancur.”
After being banned from the Man City win, Bentancur—as per the suspension—will also miss Premier League games against Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool. He will also miss the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 19.
Should Tottenham win their appeal against the FA and the South American’s ban is reduced by one game, he will be available for the big home game against league leaders Liverpool on December 22.
With games coming thick and fast and several key stars on the sidelines, Bentancur’s suspension has come at the worst possible time for Big Ange. The Nueva Helvecia-born talent has become a crucial player for Big Ange this season, starting seven out of 10 Premier League games thus far. Thus, the midfielder’s absence will cost his side during their crucial upcoming matches, even though he is allowed to play for his club in the Europa League.
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With Spurs set to host AS Roma in the Europa League on Thursday evening, we expect Bentancur to start in place of Yves Bissouma in the No.6 role. Let’s hope the Uruguayan puts in a strong display and helps us get back to winning ways in Europe.
