Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has dismissed concerns over the optics of appealing Rodrigo Bentancur’s seven-match domestic suspension for a discriminatory comment. The Australian coach emphasized the importance of education over punitive measures for the Uruguayan midfielder.
Speaking ahead of Spurs’ clash with Manchester City, Postecoglou addressed the club’s attempt to reduce the ban to the minimum six games for offences involving discrimination. He reiterated that the appeal stems from a belief that the original punishment was overly severe.
“We believe the first penalty was harsh,” Postecoglou stated. “We accept the mistake made, and we’ll accept whatever the outcome is, but I think it’s important to appeal if you feel strongly about fairness.”
Manager advocates for education over severe penalties
Postecoglou expressed frustration at the current climate, where he believes mistakes are often met with disproportionate backlash. The manager underscored the value of learning from errors rather than focusing solely on retribution.
“I understand that people want to come down hard when mistakes are made, but real progress comes from education,” he explained. “Rodrigo, like anyone else, should have the chance to grow from this. I’ve made bigger mistakes in my life, and I hope I’m a better person because of them.”
Bentancur’s ban, issued for a discriminatory remark, rules him out of key domestic fixtures, including matches against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea. However, the midfielder remains eligible for Europa League games during this period.
Injury woes add to Spurs’ challenges
In addition to the suspension, Spurs are grappling with injury setbacks. Vice-captain Cristian Romero is sidelined with a toe injury, joining Richarlison, Micky van de Ven, and other squad members on the unavailable list.
Postecoglou confirmed that Romero, crucial to Spurs’ defensive setup, will not feature against Manchester City. These absences compound the challenges as Spurs prepare to face a demanding run of fixtures.
Despite these hurdles, Postecoglou maintained that the appeal on Bentancur’s ban is justified, even if it could potentially only allow the player to return one game earlier. “For us, it’s not about how much time is saved – it’s about standing by what we feel is right,” he said.
