Why is Rodrigo Bentancur allowed to play for Tottenham against Roma?

The Uruguayan was sidelined for the thumping win over Manchester City on Saturday after being served with a seven-game ban.

The 27-year-old midfielder was handed a suspension and a £100,000 fine for using a racial slur about teammate Heung-min Son.

Bentancur made derogatory remarks on Uruguayan TV about South Koreans in a reply to a question about Spurs captain Son.

The north Londoners are hoping to have his ban reduced, but in the interim, the former Juventus star can face his old Serie A rivals.

Why is Bentancur allowed to play?

Bentancur's seven-game ban for a racist slur is domestic only, which permits him to continue playing in UEFA competition.

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The Football Association had jurisdiction over Bentancur, as the interview had been conducted in his own time.

He hadn't yet been released by Tottenham for Copa America duty, which is the loophole that has spared Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez.

The outcome of Bentancur's appeal only applies to domestic games, with the player restricted to European action until Boxing Day.

An FA statement read: "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.

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"Rodrigo Bentancur denied this charge, but the independent Regulatory Commission found it to be proven and imposed his sanctions following a hearing. Its written reasons for these decisions can be seen below."

Bentancur has already served the first of his seven-game domestic ban but still stands to miss several other key fixtures.

This includes a home EFL Cup quarter-final versus Manchester United - although Tottenham have already launched an appeal.

When asked whether that decision is a 'bad look', Ange Postecoglou said: "I'm not interested in looks and whatever people… I've said all along he's made a mistake, we accept whatever penalty comes his way, but we believe the first one was a little bit harsh.

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"We've appealed against that which we believe is our right if you look at the whole process. If you look at it, it's already at the low end of the scale.

"I get that people want to burn people at the stake these days but part of the process, if you want real education and progress, is to understand when somebody makes a mistake. Part of that is education and hopefully seeing that's the way forward.

"Whether it is Rodrigo, or anyone else, as I've said, I am old enough to say I've made mistakes worse than that in life, mate, but I've learned from them and hopefully I am a better human being from that."

Tottenham vs Roma: How to follow

This Europa League clash is set to take place on Thursday, November 28.

talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage from north London, with kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium scheduled for 8pm.

Commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Dean Ashton.

talkSPORT.com will also have updates in our dedicated live Europa League blog.

To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.