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Even Tottenham manager Engie Postecoglou came forward and covered Rodrigo Bentancourt with the 'racism perpetrator'.
According to Eurosport on the 21st (local time), Postecoglou said of midfielder Bentancourt, who was suspended for seven games by the FA for his racist remarks against his teammate Son Heung-min, `The undeniable fact is that Bentancourt is a great man, a great team member, and a player of the best character, even though he made a mistake.'
"This disciplinary action is disappointing because Bentancourt helped Tottenham a lot this year. Bentancourt has taken a step forward as a footballer." Bentancourt will not be able to play against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United (the quarterfinals of the League Cup) starting with the Manchester City match on the 24th. He can play in the Europa League during the disciplinary period.
Tottenham appealed on the 20th, saying they understand the FA's disciplinary decision, but seven games are harsh. Tottenham had previously taken a stand without internal disciplinary action even when Bentancur's remarks became controversial.
Postecoglou said "We knew a moment like this was coming. Any kind of punishment has been accepted by all concerned"But I fully support the club's decision to challenge excessive disciplinary action" he said.
Postecoglou has not spoken to Bentancourt since the disciplinary action was announced. This is because he has yet to return to the Uruguayan national team. Before the news, I had a conversation with him, who knew he had made a mistake and was in a position to receive any punishment sweetly. We will support Bentancur in every way possible."
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The Tottenham club and Postecoglou are caught up in the idea that the punishment for seven games is harsh, so they do not look at the captain Son Heung-min, who is actually a 'victim', and are making the mistake of taking racist crimes lightly. In an appearance on a Uruguayan broadcast last summer, he praised a player who made Asian racism such as that Son Heung-min and Son Heung-min's cousins were the same and could not be distinguished as "a great person, a great player".
Son Heung-min, Asia's top star, has been exposed to racism.
The BBC reported on the 20th that 327 cases (35%) of 937 reports of racial discrimination that targeted players in the KIO over the past five seasons were directed at seven specific East and Southeast Asian players, according to an article entitled `Bentancourt, Son Heung-min and football's growing racism against Southeast Asian countries.' In particular, 55% of reports of racism against certain players last season were targeting East Asian players, according to the report. In other words, at least one of the two reports of racism was directed at East Asian players such as Son Heung-min.
The BBC said the KIO has not identified the names of players who have been regularly targeted over the past five seasons, inferring that seven are famous styles from East Asia. Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) of South Korea, Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) of Japan, Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arnall), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace) and Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton) of Asia are currently active on the EPL stage.
The BBC paid attention to Son Heung-min, one of the best Asian stars in the EPL. `Son Heung-min has been insulted by racism several times. Since entering the EPL in 2015, he has suffered racism from Manchester United, Chelsea, Palace and West Ham fans from 2019 to 2023. Recently, Nottingham Forest fans have been banned from all stadiums in the UK for racist acts directed at Son Heung-min.
At least, Postecoglou had to cover Bentancourt and convey the message to society that racism is an unacceptable crime. Tottenham defender Ben Davies has said during the A-match that the incident should be taken seriously.
Meanwhile, Son Heung-min, who has scored consecutive goals against Kuwait and Palestine in two consecutive A matches in November, will go on an away trip to Manchester City on the 24th and aim for his fourth goal of the season. Manchester City signed Pep Guardiola's two-year contract ahead of the game.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
