Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani has been charged by the Football Association (FA) for a now-deleted social media post.
After coming off the bench to score a brace in United’s 3-2 win over Southampton on 29 November, Cavani responded to a post from a friend on his Instagram account saying, ‘Gracias negrito’, which means, ‘Thanks, little black’.
Cavani has now been charged by the FA with misconduct and he could face a three-match ban if found guilty – he has until Monday 4 January 2021 to give a response.
An FA statement read: ‘Edinson Cavani has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3, in relation to a social media post on Thursday 29 November 2020.
‘It is alleged that, contrary to FA Rule E3.1, a comment posted on the Manchester United FC player’s Instagram page was insulting and/or abusive and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.
‘It is further alleged that the comment constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included a reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.
‘The striker has until Monday 4 January 2021 to provide a response to the charge.‘
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United responded with a statement of their own which read: ‘Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism and we will continue to work with the FA – along with other governing bodies and organisations, and through our own campaigns – in that regard.
‘We note the FA decision today to charge Edinson Cavani for his social media reply to a friend’s message of congratulations, following the Southampton game.
‘Edinson and the club were clear that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind the message, which he deleted and apologised for, as soon as he was informed that it could have been misconstrued.
‘The player and the club will now consider the charge and respond to the FA accordingly.‘
