Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been handed a seven-game ban by the Football Association (FA) after being found guilty of making disparaging remarks about his teammate Heung-min Son.
The Uruguayan midfielder was charged by the FA in relation to comments he made during a match, which were deemed to be in breach of the governing body's rules regarding misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute.
Bentancur's ban is set to begin immediately, meaning he will miss a crucial stretch of seven games for Spurs as they bid to turn their season around. The midfielder has been a key player for Antonio Conte's side this term, but his absence will undoubtedly be felt.
The seven games that Bentancur will miss are against some of the toughest opponents in the league, including arch-rivals Arsenal and title contenders Liverpool. Spurs will have to navigate these challenging fixtures without the services of one of their most important players.
Bentancur's teammates will be hoping that they can rally together in his absence and pick up some much-needed points. However, the loss of such a key player will undoubtedly be felt, and Spurs fans will be worried about the impact this ban will have on their team's chances of success this season.
The FA's decision to ban Bentancur for seven games has been met with widespread condemnation from Tottenham fans, who feel that the punishment is too harsh. However, the governing body has made it clear that they take allegations of misconduct very seriously, and that players must be held to the highest standards of behavior.
As for Bentancur, he will have to learn from his mistakes and ensure that he behaves in a more professional manner in the future. The Uruguayan midfielder has apologized for his actions, but he now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as a result of his misconduct.