What did Rodrigo Bentancur say? Tottenham Hotspur teammate Son responds to 'racial slur'

Son has spoken to Bentancur about the incident.Son has spoken to Bentancur about the incident.
Son has spoken to Bentancur about the incident. | Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur, Son Heung-min and Rodrigo Bentancur have all released statement about the incident.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielders Son Heung-min and Rodrigo Bentacur have held productive conversations this week after the latter used a racial slur in an interview.

Discrimination charity Kick It Out received a 'significant number' of complaints after the incident and have been in contact with the Premier League club and 'relevant authorities'.

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Here's what both players and Tottenham Hotspur have said about the controversy.

What did Rodrigo Bentacur say?

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentacur is currently on international duty with the Uruguay national team as the side prepares for the upcoming Copa America.

While on media duties with TV show Canal 10, Bentacur was asked which of his Spurs teammates he would like to swap shirts with on the international stage. He replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

The clip circulated on social media and drew widespread criticism with Bentacur then apologising to Son on Instagram. He wrote: "Sonny brother. I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke. You know I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!"

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Son Heung-Min responds to Spurs teammate's racial slur

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-Min has spoken out about the incident with a short social media post on Thursday morning.

The South Korea international and Tottenham Hotspur club captain shared that he had engaged in a conversation with his teammate and hoped to draw a line under the situation.

He said: "I've spoken with Lolo. He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised.

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"Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all. We're past this, we're united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one. Sonny."

Son has spoken to Bentancur about the incident.Son has spoken to Bentancur about the incident.
Son has spoken to Bentancur about the incident. | Getty Images

What have Tottenham Hotspur said about the incident?

Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur has also released a statement on the incident. Bentacur and Son have played together at the London club since the former arrived at the side from Juventus for around £21.5 million in January 2022.

The midfielder has since made 69 appearances for the side and played 23 times in the Premier League in a season hampered by a ligament tear.

Spurs have confirmed that 'further education' will be given to all players to ensure such a situation doesn't happen again. In a statement released on Thursday morning, Tottenham Hotspur said: "Following a comment from Rodrigo Bentancur in an interview video clip and the player’s subsequent public apology, the Club has been providing assistance in ensuring a positive outcome on the matter. This will include further education for all players in line with our diversity, equality and inclusion objectives.

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"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 new season ahead. We are extremely proud of our diverse, global fanbase and playing squads. Discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club, within our game or within wider society."

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