“I CAN’T BELIEVE HE JUST SAID THAT TO A FELLOW PLAYER” – Lutsharel Geertruida reveals shocking reason behind clash with Tottenham star.
Sunderland defender Lutsharel Geertruida has broken his silence after the heated on-pitch altercation with Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur, delivering a raw and emotional interview that has sent shockwaves across the Premier League and sparked calls for immediate intervention from league authorities.
The incident, which occurred during Sunderland’s tense encounter with Tottenham, initially appeared to be just another flashpoint in a highly competitive match. Cameras caught Geertruida angrily confronting Bentancur before teammates and officials rushed in to separate both players. At the time, many assumed it was the result of a reckless tackle or a verbal exchange common in high-stakes football.
However, Geertruida’s post-match comments painted a far more troubling picture.
“I’ve played football at the highest level and I accept trash talk,” the Sunderland defender said. “But what he said to me crossed a line. That was not football anymore. I couldn’t believe a fellow professional would say something like that on a football pitch.”
Although Geertruida stopped short of repeating Bentancur’s exact words, he made it clear that the comment was personal, deeply offensive, and unrelated to the game itself. According to the defender, the remark targeted him in a way that made it impossible to simply walk away.
“He didn’t insult my football,” Geertruida explained. “He didn’t talk about the match. He went somewhere else entirely. At that moment, I reacted as a human being, not just a footballer.”
The Sunderland defender admitted he lost his composure but insisted his reaction was driven by shock and disbelief rather than aggression. “I regret that it became physical,” he added, “but silence would have meant accepting something that should never be said on a pitch.”
The altercation briefly halted the match and required intervention from the referee, who issued stern warnings to both players. VAR reviewed the incident but no red cards were shown, a decision that has since become another point of controversy.
Since the interview surfaced, reactions have been intense. Sunderland fans have rallied behind Geertruida, praising him for speaking out and accusing the league of failing to protect players from unacceptable verbal abuse. Many supporters have taken to social media to demand a full investigation into Bentancur’s conduct.
“This is bigger than rivalry,” one fan wrote.
“If this is true, the EPL cannot sweep it under the carpet,” another added.
