Son Heung-min and Tottenham break silence on Rodrigo Bentancur's bizarre claim appearing to suggest South Koreans 'look the same'... after Uruguayan issued heartfelt apology

Son Heung-min has responded to his Tottenham team-mate Rodrigo Bentancur after the midfielder appeared to suggest South Koreans 'look the same' in a bizarre claim on Uruguayan television.

Bentancur, 26, was asked by an interviewer last week if he could get his hands on Son's Tottenham shirt and bizarrely responded by telling him to get the jersey 'from his cousin' because 'they all look the same'. 

The Uruguayan later issued a heartfelt apology to Son, who is captain of the South Korea football team, after his remark sparked huge controversy and backlash online.

Tottenham posted to social media on Thursday in an effort to resolve the matter, revealing Son's response to the bizarre comment.

'I have spoken with Lolo (Bentancur). He made a mistake, he knows this and has apologised,' his statement read.

'Lolo would not mean to ever intentionally say something offensive. We are brothers and nothing has changed at all. 

'We're past this, we're united, and we will be back together in pre-season to fight for our club as one. Sonny.'

Meanwhile, Tottenham said: 'Following a comment from Rodrigo Bentancur in an interview video clip and the player’s subsequent public apology, the Club has been providing assistance in ensuring a positive outcome on the matter. 

'This will include further education for all players in line with our diversity, equality and inclusion objectives. 

'We fully support that our captain Sonny feels that he can draw a line under the incident and that the team can focus on the new season ahead. 

'We are extremely proud of our diverse, global fanbase and playing squads. Discrimination of any kind has no place at our Club, within our game or within wider society.'

Bentancur, who joined Tottenham from Juventus in 2022 and has since chalked up over 50 appearances for the club, apologised on Instagram last Friday.

He said: 'Sony brother! I apologise to you for what happened, it was just a very bad joke! 

'You know that I love you and I would never disrespect you or hurt you or anyone else! I love you brother!'

Bentancur's comment comes less than a year after a fan was handed a three-year football ban for racially abusing Son.

Robert Garland made the racial gesture at the forward after he was substituted in the 89th minute against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on 6 May, 2023.

The 44-year-old football fan pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment at Highbury Magistrates Court on August 25 and was convicted later that year.

The incident in May 2023 marked the third time Son had been targeted by racial abuse during while representing Tottenham last season.