Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentanker had his appeal against a seven-match ban rejected by an independent panel.

Bentanker was sanctioned by the Football Association last month, with a £100,000 fine along with his suspension, following comments he made about team-mate Son Heung-min in June.

He was found guilty of an aggravated breach of FA Rule E3.2 by using abusive and/or insulting words with reference to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

The Uruguayan midfielder appeared on the television show Pro La Camiseta. Host Rafa Cotello asked for the Spurs player’s shirt to which Bentanker replied: “Sonny? It might as well be Sonny’s cousin because they all look the same.”

Tottenham and the player accepted the guilty verdict but appealed the severity of the sanction.

An independent appeals board has dismissed Rodrigo Bentanker’s appeal regarding his recent suspension.

Full statement: https://t.co/Qz9P3HwD1r pic.twitter.com/AA1ZaCIkpS

— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) December 17, 2024

Forest returns are still possible

However, the FA confirmed today that the punishment will stand, meaning the 27-year-old, who has already missed games against Manchester City, Fulham, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Southampton, will be sidelined for this week’s EFL Cup clash with Manchester United and the Premier League. will be on League game with Liverpool.

His next league appearance is likely to come against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

Bentanker, who is able to play in the Europa League because his ban only applies to domestic games, was described by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou as a “great guy”.

The Australian said: “He understands he made a mistake and is ready to accept whatever penalty comes his way.

“As a club we are going to support him because, one thing that is indisputable for me as I know him, he is an outstanding person, an incredible teammate, a person of great character who has made a mistake.”