Explaining Tottenham’s complex racism case – The Athletic FC

The Athletic FC ⚽ is The Athletic’s daily football (or soccer, if you prefer) newsletter. Sign up to receive it directly to your inbox.

Hello. Today, we’re writing about an emotional Son Heung-min press conference. He’s clearly forgiven Rodrigo Bentancur.

Coming up:

Son shows compassion but Bentancur faces ban

In June, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur gave an interview to a television station in his home country of Uruguay, the type of chat that tends to pass the world by — and but for one remark, it would have done.

During the interview, Bentancur made a racial slur in jest about his Tottenham team-mate and captain, the South Korea international Son Heung-min. Word about it spread and Bentancur quickly said sorry, describing it as “a joke in bad taste”. Son accepted his apology and said, “We’re past it.”

In an official statement, Spurs said they “fully support that our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident”, but a fortnight ago, Bentancur was charged by the Football Association over the remark. It is yet to be confirmed if the 27-year-old has pleaded guilty or not guilty.

The FA considered Bentancur’s alleged breach to be aggravated because it related to “nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin”. In layman’s terms, any punishment stands to be more severe than it would be for a standard breach. If found guilty, or if he accepts the charge, Bentancur faces a ban of six to 12 matches.

Son had previously gone public about Bentancur’s interview, but yesterday, he gave his reaction to the FA’s charge — the first time he has taken direct questions concerning the controversy. Once again, he spoke with remarkable compassion.

‘I repeat: I love him, I love him’

This is a highly unusual scenario. What we have is two big Premier League personalities in the same dressing room who have succeeded in patching things up — but not in averting disciplinary proceedings.

Son spoke to the media at a press conference before Tottenham’s opening Europa League tie against Azerbaijan’s Qarabag tonight. The Athletic’s Jay Harris asked him to reflect on Bentancur and the FA charge.

“I repeat: I love him, I love him,” said Son. “He almost cried when he apologised publicly, and also personally as well. It felt like he feels really sorry.”

Son took care not to comment on whether FA action was justified. Irrespective of Bentancur’s contrition, the governing body could take the view that a potential breach of its rules is the same as any other — and that excusing his comments without due process would reflect poorly on its approach to alleged racism or bigotry.

I asked Jay what he made of Son’s demeanour in the press conference. “His answer made a big impact on everyone in the room,” Jay told me. “It’s the first time we’ve heard Son’s side of the story. Bentancur could be banned for nearly a third of the season, but the most important thing is that he educates himself. Son’s comments suggest that process is underway.”

What does this mean for Spurs?

It would be wrong to reduce this situation to football alone, but a long suspension for Bentancur would leave head coach Ange Postecoglou short on midfield options. Jay has been reflecting on whether the club possess the resources to progress in both the Premier League and Europe.

For now, we await the outcome of Bentancur’s case. Whatever the consequences, he, Son and Tottenham will be relieved when they can put this episode behind them.

News Round-Up 🗞️

Mbappe has injured his thigh (Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Arsenal’s Nursery 👶

Manchester City and Arsenal just cannot help going head to head. City field a 16-year-old, their third-youngest starter ever, in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, so Arsenal do likewise 24 hours later. Jack Porter, a baby-faced goalkeeper, is the second-youngest debutant in Arsenal’s history.

It was a 17-year-old, though, who hogged the limelight during their 5-1 third-round win over Bolton Wanderers of League One last night. Midfielder Ethan Nwaneri made his first senior start and scored twice. He’s going to be good. Porter, in for the mildly injured David Raya, got through the evening without major mishaps — unlike counterpart Isak Pettersson in Elfsborg’s 3-2 Europa League defeat to AZ Alkmaar (below).

(TNT Sports)

I don’t know what I like more about this blunder — Pettersson spilling the catch with nobody around him, or him brashly attempting to blame someone else. Nice try.

And then we had Manchester United being Manchester United. Will Erik ten Hag ever get it together?

Twente’s equaliser (below) in a Europa League draw at Old Trafford wasn’t far off making the list of the worst goals ever conceded: a buccaneering run from right-back, a misplaced clearance and a cheap finish at the near post. Concessions don’t get much more defensively inept.

(TNT Sports)

Ten Hag had a pop at United’s mentality afterwards, accusing his players of being “too easygoing” at 1-0 up. “They (Twente) fought for every yard and we didn’t,” he said. He wasn’t wrong, but it begs the question asked of Ten Hag so many times already: whose job is it to address that?

Brentford’s Fast Starts ⚡

Looking at the table five games into the Premier League season, something jumps out immediately: the six clubs at the bottom without a single win to their names.

That hasn’t happened in England’s top flight before and the biggest surprise is Wolverhampton Wanderers festering in 20th (aka, last) place. In fairness to head coach Gary O’Neil, he had them ready to go — but they’ve committed a false start. They’ll be clinging to the fact their initial set of fixtures were tough.

But my favourite trend is Brentford’s approach to kick-offs. The west Londoners love an early-doors ambush, scoring after 22 seconds at Manchester City and 23 seconds at Spurs on successive weekends. Those were the division’s fastest back-to-back goals.

Brentford are renowned for set-piece planning and our Mark Carey has been studying the way they use the kick-off. There’s a distinct formula: Mikkel Damsgaard passing back to goalkeeper Mark Flekken, Flekken sending a long diagonal to 6ft 6in (198cm) defender Kristoffer Ajer, and Brentford trying to pounce on the second ball from his flick.

Look out for more of the same at West Ham United this weekend. They need a talking-to if they fall for it.

Around The Athletic FC 🌎

(Angel Martinez – UEFA via Getty Images)

Catch A Match (Times ET/UK) 📡

Europa League: Fenerbahce vs Union Saint-Gilloise, 12.45pm/5.45pm — Paramount+/TNT Sports; Malmo vs Rangers, 12.45pm/5.45pm — CBS, Paramount+, Fubo/TNT Sports; Ajax vs Besiktas 3pm/8pm — Paramount+, Vix/TNT Sports; Tottenham Hotspur vs Qarabag, 3pm/8pm — Paramount+, Vix/TNT Sports; Roma vs Athletic Bilbao, 3pm/8pm — CBS Sports, Paramount+, Fubo/TNT Sports.

La Liga: Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid, 3pm/8pm — ESPN+, Fubo/Premier Sports.

(Top photo: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)