Bentancur could play as soon as Nov28 due to little-known loophole

Rodrigo Bentancur was able to play for Tottenham as early as November 28 thanks to a little-known loophole after being handed a seven-match ban by the Football Association.

The Spurs player was handed the suspension and a £100,000 fine after an independent commission upheld the FA's charge regarding an alleged racist comment during a Uruguayan television interview.

Bentancur was asked by the interviewer about the shirt of his teammate Son Heung-min and responded by saying that it could be the South Korean's 'cousin', because 'they all look the same'.

The 27-year-old apologized to Son both on social media and in person, but Mail Sport revealed earlier this month that the organization would hit Bentancur with a long-term ban regardless.

Because the charge was an 'aggravated offence', the regulatory commission's independent panel had to uphold the FA's charge or dismiss the case, resulting in a stiff penalty.

But Ange Postecoglou could sooner or later call on the former Juventus man despite the ban taking effect immediately.

Bentancur's suspension only applies to domestic matches but – although the player will be left out of Premier League and Carabao Cup action – will not impact Tottenham's European problems.

This means that Bentacur could still feature in Tottenham's upcoming Europa League matches against Roma and Rangers.

Bentancur has denied the accusation and can appeal the ruling if he wishes.

Postecoglou will be relieved to be able to call up one of his first-team stalwarts as Spurs hover just above the play-off places in the table with two games to play.

Bentacur has been a reliable presence for the Antipodean manager this season, featuring in ten of the club's eleven Premier League matches so far.

An FA spokesperson shared news of the ban in a statement on Monday, writing: 'An independent regulatory commission has handed Rodrigo Bentancur a seven-match ban and a £100,000 fine for breaching FA Rule E3 in relation to a media -interview.

'It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA rule E3.1 by behaving in an inappropriate manner and/or using abusive and/or insulting words and/or bringing the match into disrepute.

'It was further claimed that this constitutes an 'aggravated breach' as ​​defined in FA Rule E3.2, because it contained a reference – express or implied – to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

'Rodrigo Bentancur denied this allegation, but the independent regulatory commission ruled it proven and imposed its sanctions after a hearing.'

While on international duty with his national team this week, the Tottenham midfielder revealed he had been informed by his agent that the punishment will be severe.

“My agent called me and told me he had been informed that this was the sanction.” The 27-year-old said. 'So far the club has not contacted me. I already more or less knew where it was going.

'Now that the sanction has been imposed, I want to remain calm here with the national team. Then we'll see when it's time to go back.'

Following the first event, Tottenham released their own statement on social media, informing that they were assisting the process in pursuit of a 'positive outcome'.

“Following a comment made by Rodrigo Bentancur in an interview video clip and the player's subsequent public apology, the Club has provided assistance to ensure a positive outcome in this matter,” the club wrote.

'This includes further education for all players in line with our diversity, equality and inclusivity objectives.

'We fully support that our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident and that the team can focus on the upcoming new season.

“We are extremely proud of our diverse, global fan base and player teams. Discrimination of any kind has no place at our club, within our game or within wider society.'