Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been banned for seven matches, after the Uruguayan was filmed mocking Tottenham teammate and captain Heung-Min Son, with a racial slur.
The incident that occurred on Uruguayan TV Channel Canal 10 in June, had been under review by the FA since September. Bentancur has now been punished with a seven-match ban and £100,000 fine by the Football Association.
‘Show Racism the Red Card’ Chief Executive Ged Grebby wants to know where that money will go, and how it will be used to combat racism in the future.
“The £100,000 he has been fined, where is it going?” Grebby asked.
“Organisations like Show Racism the Red Card have never seen that kind of money!
“I don’t have a problem with a seven-game ban, but I think the fine should be bigger and more importantly what are the FA actually doing – because I’m not aware of an anti-racism program that the FA run”.
While £100,000 may seem like a lot of money to most people, it is not to a player like Bentancur who reportedly earns £75,000 per week.
Nevertheless, that sort of money can massively help the funding of charities like Show Racism the Red Card.
“My question to the FA would be: ‘What message does it send to the public?’ Number one and number two, ‘What good can it do in terms of anti-racist education?’ – Either directly, with the message or indirectly, by helping us fund our wage, so we can do a lot more work! £100,000 is close to one tenth of our budget for a year”.
The Uruguayan initially denied the charge, but he has since apologised to Son, who has forgiven him.
Although the South Korean forward may have forgiven Bentancur, it is important that this issue is not brushed under the carpet and that young people learn that racism is never acceptable.
“It’s not about just Son himself, it’s about the message to young people and football supporters generally.
“We just did a fantastic event with Nottingham Forest, they delivered everything that we would’ve wanted them to! But, we are not funded to do that work. We do that work by raising the money ourselves,” he said.
“Generally speaking now, the trickle-down of money from the Premier League is not happening, and the money in football is staying at the top – wages for players are becoming obscene, in my opinion!
“So, when top players are on that kind of money and they get fined … let’s make sure they can feel it! Not just £100,000”.
Tottenham Hotspur are yet to put out a statement following the confirmation of Bentancur’s ban who will still be available to play for them in the Europa League, but will not play in domestic competition until after Christmas.
You can donate to Show Racism the Red Card here.
Sign the petition to add anti-racism to the curriculum.
— Show Racism the Red Card (@SRTRC_England) November 1, 2024
The Department of Education is holding a curriculum review this autumn.
Make your voice heard, and sign the @SRTRC_England petition today⏬
🔗https://t.co/DDd0xbDi3a pic.twitter.com/mUrqD7dyd4
