Ange Postecoglou supports Tottenham’s decision to appeal Rodrigo Bentancur’s ban, but says the midfielder is ‘ready to accept any sanction imposed on him’.
Bentancur was handed a seven-match domestic suspension for a racist slur against Spurs captain Heung-min Son.
Spurs say they accept the guilty verdict handed down by an independent regulatory commission, but the club has appealed a sanction they described as “harsh”.
Speaking for the first time since Bentancur’s ban, Postecoglou said: “It’s obviously disappointing because he’s been great for us this year. He is one of those whose football has reached a higher level.
I fully support the club’s decision to appeal the severity of the ban.
Ange Postecoglou
“But we understood that it was going to happen and everyone accepted the sanctions. I fully support the club’s decision to appeal the severity of the ban.
“At the end of the day we know it will be for x number of games.
“We are going to work with Rodrigo through this and make sure that in that time frame he has our support in whatever way is necessary, so that when he is available again, he is ready to do so.”
Bentancur will miss Premier League matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea among others, as well as the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester United.
The Uruguayan midfielder is available for Europa League matches.
Asked how Bentancur handled the news of his ban, Postecoglou replied: “I haven’t spoken to him since the news broke. Obviously he left with Uruguay and hasn’t quite come back yet.
“I spoke to him before. As I said at the time, he understands he made a mistake and is prepared to accept whatever penalty is imposed on him.
“As a club we are going to support him because, what is undeniable for me because I know him, he is an exceptional person, an incredible teammate, a very valuable person who made a mistake.
“When that happens, our role is to support it in any way we can.”