Worries about the perpetrator ahead of victim SON → 英 expert's shocking remarks "Appeal is natural, disciplinary action should be reduced"
Nov 28, 2024
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According to British media 'Football Insider', former Everton CEO Keith Wynes said Bentancur's disciplinary action was "outrageous".
Bentancourt used Son Heung-min and other Asian appearances in a broadcast interview last summer. The British Football Association (FA) took issue with this and imposed a seven-game suspension.
Tottenham have appealed this. Wynes sided with Bentancourt and Tottenham.
Wynes said "The FA decided to suspend seven games, which is nonsense. It would be a surprise if it didn't go down to six games and it should go down even further. I just wasn't very good at expressing myself. I feel sorry for Tottenham and Bentancourt."
The situation dates back to June this year. After the 2023-2024 season, the players scattered to their hometowns. Bentancur was scheduled to participate in the 2024 Copa America as a member of the Uruguayan national team. Bentancur appeared on the national television ahead of the tournament. Bentancourt asked the host to save Son's uniform, saying, `Both Son and his cousin look exactly the same," he replied.
Tottenham dismissed it as a happening between the parties. Bentancourt made a public apology. Son Heung-min also said that there was a misunderstanding on SNS and that he forgave it. Tottenham manager Enze Postecoglou tried to play down the problem, saying `We all make mistakes.' Tottenham said 'We are trying to bring about a positive outcome on the situation. Additional education on diversity and equality will be provided. We fully support Son Heung-min, the captain, in a statement to move on without any disciplinary action.
However, many media, including the BBC, defined Bentancur's expression as 'racism'. An international human rights group that calls for desegregation in sports has officially called for an investigation. In the end, the FA asked Tottenham for a report at the end of June and began to take a proper look at the situation. The FA referred Bentancur to the disciplinary committee in September. The FA ultimately determined that Bentancur violated E3 regulations, including 'Shouldn't use insulting words' and 'Significant violations referring to ethnic origin, skin color, race, nationality and other characteristics'.
Tottenham admitted Bentancur's fault but said it could not accept the disciplinary action as it is.
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In fact, the FA handed Bentancur the highest level of disciplinary action ever.
In December 2020, Edinson Cavani (then Manchester United) was suspended for three games and fined £100,000 for using Spanish insults on social media. In 2019, Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) was suspended for one game and fined £50,000 for racist abuse of fellow Benjamin Mendy over social media messages. In 2016, Andre Gray (then Burnley) was suspended for four games and fined £25,000 for expressing homosexuality.
"In terms of the case itself, the usual disciplinary action is six games," Wynes argued. Wynes said "It's not surprising that Tottenham appealed. The FA imposed harsh punishment. Beyond reasonable disciplinary action, he said, "We have imposed ridiculously heavy punishment.'
However, this disciplinary action applies only to Korea. Bentancourt can play in the Europa League organized by the UEFA.
Bentancourt cannot play in six English Premier League matches against Manchester City (away), Fulham (home), Bournemouth (away), Chelsea (home), Southampton (away) and Liverpool (home). In addition, Manchester United will miss the quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup on December 20. He will only be able to join the EPL away game against Nottingham on 27 December. UEFA's Europa League match against AS Roma (November 28) and Rangers (December 13) can be played.
dhhan@sportschosun.com
