If the price of racism is release, there won't be many complaints.
British publication Football 365 evaluated Tottenham Hotspur's squad on Tuesday (June 30) and compiled a list of players who should be kept in the summer transfer window.
Son Heung-min is right up there on the list of players to keep at all costs. No explanation was needed. "He is the club's captain and best player," says Football 365. Protecting him is the easiest thing to do."
Son Heung-min will be joined by 18 other players, including Hicharlison, Alejo Velis, Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulicepski, James Maddison, Lucas Verbal, Pape Sarr, Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies, Destiny Udogie, Radu Dragusin, Micky van der Vaart, Christian Romero, Pedro Foro, Brandon Austin, Fraser Forster and Guglielmo Vicario.
In addition, Rodrigo Bentancur was also evaluated for retention. However, the media was not convinced. "He hasn't been the same since he suffered a serious knee injury in February 2023. "He was at the top of his game before he injured his knee against Leicester City," they lamented.
As such, it is unlikely that the club would object to selling him. "If Tottenham are looking to sell Bentancur because of his deteriorating form and terrible sense of humor, it would be understandable," said Football 365, adding, "I think there are still plenty of players in the position. Time will tell," with the nuance that it's okay for him to stay or sell.
What's interesting is the speculation that Bentancur's terrible jokes could be the reason behind his release. After finishing the season with Tottenham, Bentancur returned to his native Uruguay to prepare for the Copa America, where he made racist remarks aimed at Son Heung-min.
While holding his daughter and exchanging brief pleasantries and jokes with a reporter at his home, Bentancur responded to the reporter's question, "You have your jersey, why don't you have another Korean player's jersey?" by saying, "Son Heung-min?" and then added, "How about his cousin's jersey, they all look the same anyway."
Bentancur and the reporter laughed, but it was clear racism. The prejudice was that all μΌμ€ Asians, even Son Heung-min, are the same and indistinguishable. It's the same nuance as saying to a black player that you can't tell them apart because they have the same skin color. It was a really shocking comment.
The comments made waves. Bentancur was met with an outpouring of criticism, both local and international. In response, Bentancur posted an apology on his social media accounts, writing, "My brother, Sonny, I apologize for what just happened. It was a very bad joke. I love you, Son Heung-min," he wrote.
The mild apology didn't stop the criticism, and it wasn't until Son posted his own apology that the situation evolved. Of course, the news that the English Football Association (FA) was discussing possible disciplinary action for Bentancur's comments added fuel to the fire.
If Spurs are worried about public opinion and disciplinary action, it wouldn't be surprising if they sell him in the summer. If Bentancur were to be sold in the transfer market, the likes of Turkuye's Galatasaray would reportedly be interested.
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