The Spurs boss has spoken calling him an “outstanding person” and “incredible team-mate” following his appealed ban handed out by the FA this month which has resulted in a seven-game suspension domestically. He was also simultaneously handed a £100,000 fine by the Football Association as a result.
This follows the Uruguayan midfielders comments that he made on his national Uruguay TV towards fellow teammate Heung-Min Son and other Southeast Asians. However, the South Korean has said: “nothing has changed” in their relationship since then.
Tottenham Hotspurs statement said: “While we accept the guilty finding against Rodrigo by the independent regulatory commission, we believe the subsequent sanction is severe.”
The 27 year old is set to miss crucial domestic fixtures as they travel to Manchester City at the weekend and face games against Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool ahead of a season defining December.
Micky Van De Ven, Richarlison and Wilson Odobert are also all major doubts ahead of the Premier League’s return, with key defender Cristian Romero also a concern for their trip to the Etihad.
The club will wait for the result of the appeal in due course.