Postecoglou backs ‘outstanding person’ Bentancur after seven-game ban | OneFootball

Ange Postecoglou says midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has his full support after being banned by the FA for a comment made in an interview about his team-mate Heung-Min Son.

Bentancur was found by a panel to have been guilty of an “aggravated breach” of FA rules as the comment included “a reference – whether express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.

Tottenham have appealed the seven-game ban handed to the Uruguayan, saying they “accept the guilty finding” against Bentancur but “believe the subsequent sanction is severe”

“It’s disappointing because he’s been great for us this year,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.

“He’s one of the ones whose football has gone up a level. But we understood this was kind of coming and there was an acceptance from everyone that whatever the sort of penalties were… I fully support the club’s decision to appeal the severity of the ban, but ultimately we know it’s going to be for X number of games.

“We will work with Rodrigo through that and make sure within that time he has all our support in all the right ways so when he is available again he’s ready to go.

“I haven’t spoken to him since it came out. He’s been away with Uruguay and he’s not quite back yet. I’d spoken to him in the lead-up to it. As I said at the time, he understands he has made a mistake, he’s prepared to accept whatever penalty comes his way and we as a club are going to support him.

“The one thing that’s undeniable to me, because I know him, is he’s an outstanding person. He’s an unbelievable team-mate. He’s a person of the upmost character that has made a mistake. I think when that happens our role is to support him in any way we can.”

Under the current ban, Bentancur will be permitted to play Europa League games but will not return to domestic action until December 26 and will miss Premier League matches against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool plus Spurs’ League Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.