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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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'Captain' Is Son Heung-min (Tottenham) not even considered.
Tottenham are considering appealing Rodrigo Bentancur's heavy penalty. The British Telegraph said on the 19th (Korea time) that it was "shocked by the decision of the England Football Association that Tottenham suspended seven games at Bentancourt for racist remarks against Son Heung-min." Tottenham has the right to appeal the ruling and is considering an actual appeal, he said. "'The club has not yet mentioned the disciplinary action, but it is feeling embarrassed and frustrated.'
Telegraph was surprised by the length and process of disciplinary action taken by Bentancourt. I think it's different from the punishment given to other players for racist behavior. I believe that the player's apology and Son Heung-min's support also played a disadvantage.
On the 18th, the FA suspended Bentancur from seven games in Korea for racist insults to Son Heung-min. The FA said in a statement that "Bentancourt denied the allegations, but the independent regulatory committee determined that this was evidence and imposed disciplinary action on him after the hearing." Bentancourt was suspended and fined 100,000 pounds (about 180 million won).
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It started with Bentancur's bad joke in June last year. Bentancur recently appeared on Uruguay's broadcast program For La Camisetta. Bentancourt, who is about to participate in Copa America, told a number of stories on the show. It is this part that is controversial. The interviewer said "I already have your uniform, so can you bring me a Korean uniform?Let's ask " Bentancourt shoots "Is that right?," he asked back. Then the host said "The world champion's is also good", and Bentancur said "Or how about his cousin's. They all look the same anyway." 'Orients all look the same' was a racist remark.
Fans who heard Bentancur's remarks immediately criticized him. Fans responded that `It's a big deal',"Sonnie is the greatest soccer player, and even if Bentancourt is a joke, she would be mad.'"When Koreans wake up tomorrow, Bentancourt's SNS will go wild.' As the controversy grew, Bentancourt immediately posted an apology. He is 'Sony! I apologize for what just happened. What I said was a bad joke. You know how much I love you? I didn't mean to ignore or hurt him,' he said, tagging Son's account and apologizing.
Son Heung-min and Bentancourt are well known as best friends. It was Bentancourt who comforted Son Heung-min when he suffered an orbital fracture ahead of the last Qatar World Cup. Son Heung-min also returned from a long-term injury in October last year and was more delighted than anyone when Bentancourt returned. "Bentancourt is an incredible player who makes me smile," Son said. "We waited for him to come back, and I was excited when Bentancourt showed up on the ground today" he once said. The shock was bound to be even greater because it was such a Bentancourt.
To make matters worse, there was no choice but to doubt the authenticity. Bentancourt wrote 'Sony' in the corresponding apology as Sony, not Sonny. Sony is the name of a Japanese company. In addition, Bentancur posted it in a 'Story' rather than an Instagram post. Posts are erased only when they are deleted by themselves, but the story is maintained for only 24 hours. Maybe it's a sincere apology, but my head is tilting.
The British media also shed light on the seriousness. 'Mirror' Bentancourt made a terrible joke on the live show and apologized to Son Heung-min. He replied in shock that they all looked the same. His remarks drew a lot of criticism.' The Athletic pointed out that Bentancourt told Tottenham teammate Son Heung-min a bad joke. The Daily Mail highlighted that `bizarre remarks.' Aresdier Gold, a reporter for Tottenham in Football London, also said, `What Bentancourt said was really silly and upsetting many people. Son Heung-min was not what his teammates needed."
Son Heung-min was already not free from racism. Son Heung-min was racist in the away seat of Palace while being replaced in the second half against Crystal Palace at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in May last year. West Ham fans commented "Do they sell pirated DVDs?", and they also wrote racist comments. He was subjected to eye-wrenching racist acts by Chelsea fans. Sky Sports commentator says Son Heung-min is practicing martial arts", he mocked. In an interview about racism in the past, Son said "Everyone knows that I was racist in England. I think it's a good way not to respond to racism separately. We play soccer as a human being. It doesn't matter what country or race it is."
Tottenham, where Son Heung-min is the captain, is a big shock as it is a racist remark made by a colleague. What's more regrettable is that Tottenham responded positively whenever Son Heung-min was subjected to racist acts earlier. However, this time, he is not responding much and is even suspected of erasing fans' comments, making the situation worse. Fans are even more angry. Anti-racism comments are posted on Tottenham's posts, but Tottenham has not shown any significant response.
When asked by a Tottenham fan why Tottenham did not respond to Bentancourt's racism, O'Keefe, a leading journalist familiar with Tottenham's situation, replied, "'It's because everyone's on vacation' and 'I doubt they'll announce it when they come back.' Reporter Gold said on his YouTube page on the 19th that Bentancur's interview may have no malicious intent, but it forms a racist sentence. That's not to say Bentancourt is a racist. But this was a terrible joke. There are people within Uruguay who say it's OK, it's cultural. However, it is incomprehensible logic. What happened in the past is still happening now, but it's a terrible way to not be able to say it's wrong."
Fans say "The team sees Asian fans only with money. There is no respect", "Respect our arguments. Don't delete comments","I want Son Heung-min to leave Tottenham. Tottenham don't deserve to have Son Heung-min" is pouring out a response. It is even suspected that it is deleting comments about the Bentancourt incident on the club's official SNS.
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In the end, Son Heung-min stepped up himself. He spoke with Bentancourt on his social media. He made a mistake, and apologized when he knew it. 'He didn't intend to say anything offending on purpose. We are brothers and nothing has changed. And 'I'm going to get through this, I'm going to be united, I'm going to come together in pre-season and fight for our club as one.'"
Only then did Tottenham come forward. When Son Heung-min took an open step, he expressed the club's position for the first time. Tottenham are providing support to ensure a positive outcome on the matter after video of Bentancourt's interview and the player's public apology. This includes additional training for all athletes in line with the goals of diversity, equality and inclusion' Tottenham also added 'We fully agree that captain Son Heung-min draws a line on this incident and that the team can focus on the new season coming up. We are very proud of our diverse global fan base and squad. There is no place for discrimination in any termination in our club, in our game, in the wider society.
Coach Enze Postecoglou was asked after the last preseason game against Hearts if he had spoken with Bentancourt about the racist incident or if he was going to do so. He said "I don't know what you're talking about about Copa America"What matters in the whole process is shooting. Son Heung-min is following as he does. In that regard, we are processing it, and I am sure there will be further action afterwards. What's important now is how Son Heung-min feels and Son's decision, which has been affected by this incident." In fact, it was an irresponsible remark to leave it up to Son Heung-min's decision.
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Bentancourt's disciplinary discussions began in earnest in September. Football London reports that Bentancourt is charged by the FA. Football London said 'Bentancourt violated the regulations on E3 weighted breaches (AGGRAVATED BREACHES). According to the FA regulations, E3.1 stipulates that `the official shall always act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in the following manner' and that 'inappropriate or ineffective, violent, serious foul play, threat, abusive, obscene, offensive or offensive words or actions'.
E3.2 states that a breach of regulation 'E3.1 is an aggravated breach' and that this includes an explicit or implicit reference to one or more of these, such as race, skin color, nationality, religion, belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, etc.
Bentancourt clearly violated E3 regulations with racist remarks. Football London said Bentancourt has been allowed to play in the meantime, but after inquiring with the FA, a 6-12 suspension will be recommended as a result of the 'weighted violation' of E3 for the first time. Then 'Bentancourt has the opportunity to accept or reject the indictment. If the indictment is accepted, the committee will decide on sanctions' adding that if the indictment is refused, the committee will decide whether to retain or dismiss the indictment, and if the indictment is upheld, it will also decide on sanctions'.
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Nevertheless, Son continued to cover Bentancourt. "The process is ongoing with the FA and I can't say much about it," he told a pre-Euro League press conference against Karabakh. But I really like Rodrigo. I really like him if I say it over and over again." Then "We had really good memories. We started playing together when he joined. He apologized immediately on vacation. I was at home and didn't even figure out what happened. He sent me a long message and told me what he must have felt"When Bentancur returned to pre-season training, he felt really sorry and almost cried when he apologized officially, personally. He felt really sorry.'
Bentancourt's disciplinary action eventually became a reality. Bentancourt is a key player for Tottenham. He started seven out of 10 league games this season. Tottenham has fallen to 11th place this season, and they have to play a tight schedule without Bentancourt. Starting with Manchester City's away game on the 24th, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton, Manchester United (League Cup) and Liverpool are not expected to play. As there are a series of important schedules, there must be a blow from Tottenham's point of view.
Nevertheless, Tottenham's attitude is regrettable. Tottenham was already criticized for not having Son Heung-min in mind during the incident. In recent years, Son Heung-min's renewal was so rude that it could not be seen as an attitude toward the legend who devoted himself to the club. This time, too, if you had thought of Son Heung-min's mind first, you can't do it. Does Tottenham have Son Heung-min in mind.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
