TOTTENHAM midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been given a seven-match domestic ban by the Football Association for an alleged racist remark made about team-mate Son Heung Min in a Uruguayan TV interview.

Bentancur was charged by the FA on September 12 with an alleged misconduct breach in relation to a media interview, which emerged in June.

While an apology from Bentancur was swiftly forthcoming, due to this being an “aggravated breach,” an independent regulatory commission panel were required to either uphold the FA charge or dismiss the case.

The independent regulatory commission panel upheld the charge and Bentancur is set to sit out Tottenham’s next seven domestic fixtures, but will be able to feature for the club in upcoming Europa League matches with Roma and Rangers.

An FA spokesperson said: “An independent regulatory commission has imposed a seven-match suspension and £100,000 fine on Rodrigo Bentancur for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a media interview.

“It was alleged that the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder breached FA Rule E3.1 as he acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or brought the game into disrepute.

“It was further alleged that this constitutes an “aggravated breach,” which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference — whether express or implied — to nationality and/or race and/or ethnic origin.

“Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing.”

In the days after the incident, Bentancur apologised to South Korea captain Son on Instagram, saying: “Sonny brother. I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke.

“You know I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you, brother!”

Son responded in a statement on Instagram, saying: “I’ve spoken with Lolo [Bentancur]. He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised.”

Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out said it had received a “significant number” of complaints in the aftermath of Bentancur’s comment.