‘Impose strong penalties’ – South Korean activist slams Spurs star after recent comments
South Korean professor Seo Kyoung-duk, who is also an activist as part of VANK (Voluntary Agency Network of Korea), has revealed his outrage at the recent comments made by Tottenham Hotspur star Rodrigo Bentancur in reference to Heung-min Son.
Rodrigo Bentancur made derogatory comments
While on international duty with Uruguay, Bentancur took part in an interview with his national media and was asked about his Spurs skipper, Heung-min Son.
The interview with Por la Camiseta (via New York Times) quickly made headlines, as Bentancur said: “Sonny, or a cousin of Sonny, they all look the same.” Naturally, those comments have caused anger about the racial implications.
Bentancur apologised for his words on Instagram, saying, “Sonny, brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke! You know that I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else. I love you, brother.”
Calls for Tottenham to punish Bentancur
However, Tottenham Hotspur had been quiet on the matter until this morning, and Seo Kyoung-duk is not happy that the matter has not been addressed publicly.
He wrote on Facebook (via Korea Times): “Son Heung-min, the captain of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League, was subjected to racial discrimination by a fellow teammate. This incident is an insult not only to Son but to all Asians.”
Seo has written an email in protest to the Premier League and all the clubs, writing: “Tottenham should impose strong penalties on Bentancur and ensure that such racial discrimination never occurs again in any EPL club.
“Football fans around the world are waiting for a clear follow-up action on this matter. If EPL headquarters and Tottenham do not take swift action, we will report the matter to FIFA.”
Tottenham issued the following statement: ‘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.
‘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.’
Spurs Web Opinion
I don’t know what the best course of action would be to deal with Bentancur on this matter, but doing nothing and saying nothing is definitely not the solution.
Spurs were right to make that club statement earlier today, and Heung-min Son has already spoken on the matter too.
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