Rodrigo Bentancur used racial insult on Uruguayan TV; The Tottenham midfielder apologized to Heung-Min Son; Spurs captain says his teammate “made a mistake”; Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said “a significant number” of reports had been received; The Spurs have issued a statement.
11:01, United Kingdom, Thursday June 20, 2024
Tottenham Hotspur captain Heung-Min Son says teammate Rodrigo Bentancur “made a mistake” by using a racial slur about him, but now they have both “overcome this and are united.”
The Uruguayan international was asked by the presenter of a television program Channel 10 in his homeland for a Tottenham player’s shirt, to which he replied: “Sonny’s? It could also be Sonny’s cousin as they all look the same.”
After the clip, which had circulated on social media, sparked criticism, Bentancur quickly apologized to the South Korea international, writing on Instagram: “Son, brother. I apologize for what happened, it was simply a joke.” Very bad.
“You know I love you and I would never disrespect or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!”
However, despite Bentancur’s apology, anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said the organization had received a “significant number” of complaints.
A statement from the charity said: “Kick It Out has received a significant number of reports regarding Rodrigo Bentancur’s comments about his Tottenham team-mate Heung-Min Son. These reports have already been forwarded to the club and authorities. relevant.
“We recognize that Bentancur has acknowledged the offense caused, however it highlights a wider issue that largely affects East Asia and wider communities.
“We will look to address these broader issues in the coming season.”
Tottenham have since issued their own statement, saying: “Following a comment by Rodrigo Bentancur in an interview video and the player’s subsequent public apology, the club has been providing assistance to ensure a positive outcome in the matter. This will include more education for all stakeholders in line with our diversity, equality and inclusion goals.
“We fully support that our captain Sonny feels he can put an end to the incident and the team can focus on the new season ahead.
“We are extremely proud of our diverse global fan base and playing teams. Discrimination of any kind has no place at our club, within our game or within society at large.”
The two players have been teammates since Bentancur joined the north London club from Juventus in January 2022.
Bentancur is currently preparing to represent his country in this summer’s Copa América in the United States, which begins on June 20.
