Tottenham Hotspur is set to face Arsenal this Sunday as the Premier League action resumes, but they are contending with a series of challenges, particularly due to injuries within their squad.
One of the key issues involves Uruguayan midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, who has been hit with a charge from the Football Association (FA) related to comments he made about teammate Son Heung-min during the Copa America this past summer. Bentancur now has until September 19 to respond to this charge, which could potentially result in a suspension or a fine. Despite this situation, he is expected to be available for selection for the North London derby against Arsenal, which represents a crucial boost for manager Ange Postecoglou.
The timing of this issue is particularly significant as Tottenham may be missing several other important players for the derby. Yves Bissouma, Dominic Solanke, Richarlison, and Micky van de Ven could all be unavailable for the match, making Bentancur’s presence even more vital. Bissouma’s situation is especially pressing as he is recovering from an injury sustained during a recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifier where he played for Mali against Eswatini. The potential absence of these key players underscores the importance of having Bentancur fit and available.
However, the controversy surrounding Bentancur’s comments could cast a shadow over his performance. The remarks, which were intended as a joke, involved a request for a shirt from a “Korean” player, leading to a response where Bentancur said, “Or any cousin of Sonny, they all look more or less the same!” This comment was perceived as a racial slur by many and has sparked considerable outrage within the South Korean community.
Kick It Out, an organization focused on combating discrimination in football, received numerous reports about the incident. Despite Bentancur’s apology and efforts to clarify his statement, the FA has charged him with a breach of FA Rule E3, which relates to misconduct in media interviews. The charge reflects the seriousness with which the FA views the incident, adding another layer of complexity to Tottenham’s preparations for the high-stakes derby against their North London rivals.