Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur will continue to serve a seven-game domestic ban
Just when Ange Postecoglou and the Tottenham Hotspur fans had something to smile for after the big win over Southampton last weekend, they have been handed a setback.
Spurs have seen their appeal against Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-game ban dismissed by the Football Association (FA) on Tuesday.
The Uruguay international was given a seven-game suspension and £100,000 fine by the FA for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview against his Tottenham teammate Son Heung-min. The central midfielder denied the FA’s original charge, and while Spurs accepted the judgement they appealed against the sanction, which they described as “severe”. Their appeal could only have reduced the player’s ban down to six games.
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However, an Independent Appeal Board confirmed the North London club’s plea for Rodrigo Bentancur has been dismissed. The appeal was quashed following a hearing, and his seven-game domestic suspension remains intact as ordered by the Regulatory Commission.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the FA said: “An independent Appeal Board has dismissed an appeal by Rodrigo Bentancur in relation to his recent suspension.
“An independent Regulatory Commission imposed a seven-match suspension on the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder for an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.
“This appeal was dismissed following a hearing, and the seven-match suspension remains as ordered by the Regulatory Commission. The Appeal Board’s written reasons for its decision will be published in due course.”
The South American star’s last appearance in a Spurs shirt saw him score against Ipswich Town in early November in a 2-1 loss, but he’s since missed five Premier League games, with Ange Postecoglou’s side having garnered seven points in that time. The former Juventus midfielder has been able to play in the Europa League during his ban as it only applies to domestic competition.
However, with the ban being unsuccessful, it means Rodrigo Bentancur will also miss Tottenham’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United on Tuesday and the trip to Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League. Spurs would have hoped that the midweek cup tie with Ruben Amorim’s Man United side would be the final game of his ban.
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The upcoming two games are huge for the Lilywhites. Should they beat Man United, Postecoglou and Co. would be only two games away from winning a first trophy in 17 years – and if they manage to defeat Liverpool at Anfield, they could go as high as sixth in the Premier League table ahead of the Boxing Day encounter.
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Bentancur has been a big miss; nonetheless, Big Ange will hope the Uruguayan returns to the side against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day and makes an immediate impact.
