Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou described midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur as an “outstanding person” who made a “mistake” in using a racial slur against teammate Son Heung-min.
The 27-year-old Uruguayan international received a seven-match ban from the Football Association earlier this week for comments made during a television appearance in Uruguay last June.
Spurs have appealed the ban, accepting the guilty verdict but contesting the severity of the punishment.
“I fully support the club’s decision to appeal the severity of the ban,” Postecoglou told Sky Sports.
“I spoke to him in the lead-up [to the FA’s decision] and as I said he understands he’s made a mistake and he’s prepared to accept whatever penalty comes his way.
“We as a club are going to support him because the one thing that’s undeniable to me – because I know him – is that he’s an outstanding person, an unbelievable team-mate and a person of the utmost character that’s made a mistake.”
Postecoglou says he accepts the FA’s guilty verdict and that Bentancur will miss a number of matches.
In the media interview in question, asked by a presenter for a Tottenham shirt, Bentancur replied: “Sonny’s? It could be Sonny’s cousin too as they all look the same.”
Bentancur later issued an apology on social media, acknowledging his comments as a “very bad joke.” He also personally apologized to South Korean forward Son Heung-min, who expressed support, stating that Bentancur would “never intentionally say something offensive.”
Although Bentancur denied the charge, he was fined £100,000 and ordered to complete a face-to-face education program.
The seven-match ban means he will miss key Premier League fixtures against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, as well as the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
However, he remains eligible to play in Europa League matches.