Son Heung-min Faced Racism but Team Remained Silent... Seok Kyung-duk "Considering FIFA Complaint"

Seokyeongdeok "Protest to Tottenham... FIFA complaint if no response"

Rodrigo Bentancur (27) of Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League (EPL) made a racist remark about his teammate and captain Son Heung-min, and Tottenham has responded with 'silent treatment,' prompting Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women's University to strongly protest.

Seo Kyung-duk: "Bentancur's Remarks Are Degrading to East Asians... Will Report to FIFA if Tottenham Does Not Respond"

Son Heung-min.

On the 17th, Professor Seo stated on Facebook, "This incident is not only an insult to Son Heung-min but to all Asians," adding, "I have immediately sent protest emails to the EPL office and all EPL clubs, including Tottenham." He criticized Bentancur's remarks, saying, "He said that all Asian faces, including Son Heung-min's, look the same," and "This is a phrase used to demean East Asians in Europe and South America, and it was uttered on a broadcast media platform."

He further emphasized, "Tottenham must impose strong punishment on Bentancur, and this should serve as a warning to all EPL clubs to ensure that racism never recurs." Professor Seo added, "Football fans worldwide are waiting for clear follow-up actions regarding this matter. I hope wise measures will be taken promptly."

Professor Seo plans to report the issue to the F?d?ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) if the EPL office and Tottenham do not take swift action.

"Son Heung-min's Cousin Looks Exactly Like Him" - Bentancur's Racist Remark Met with Tottenham's Silence, Fans Criticize

Son Heung-min's teammate Rodrigo Bentancur.
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

Earlier, Bentancur appeared on a TV program in his home country Uruguay on the 14th. When the host asked Bentancur, "Can you bring Son Heung-min's jersey?" Bentancur replied with a laugh, "How about Son Heung-min's cousin's jersey? They all look the same anyway." This was a racist remark implying that all East Asians look alike. After criticism poured in accusing Bentancur of racism, he explained, "My brother Sonny (Son Heung-min)! It was just a bad joke. You know I love him, right?"

Son Heung-min has been playing in Europe for a long time but has continuously faced racism there. During a match against Crystal Palace last year, a spectator made a gesture by pulling the corners of his eyes sideways with both hands, a racist gesture implying that East Asians have small eyes. Son also faced racism from spectators during matches against Chelsea in 2022 and Manchester United in 2021. After South Korea's 2-0 victory over Germany in the 2018 Russia World Cup, Son gave an unusually candid interview, saying, "When I was young in Germany, I experienced unimaginable racism. I avenged it with what I love, so that match is very memorable." However, Son has remained reserved about Bentancur's recent remarks.

There are criticisms regarding Tottenham's response as well. Whenever Son Heung-min has faced racism, Tottenham has stated, "All forms of discrimination are hateful and unacceptable," and "We will do our best to ensure strong disciplinary action," but this time, the club has remained silent.

As a result, various sports media outlets have been continuously criticizing Bentancur's remarks, and Tottenham fans have also left numerous criticisms on Tottenham's official social media channels, saying things like "Please respect our captain," and "I am becoming ashamed to be a Tottenham fan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.