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Edinson Cavani Given Three-Match Ban For 'Negrito' Social Media Post

Edinson Cavani Given Three-Match Ban For 'Negrito' Social Media Post

Edinson Cavani has been banned, as well as fined £100,000 and enrolled onto an education course.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Edinson Cavani has been hit with a three-match ban for a social media post that used the term "negrito" on Instagram.

The Uruguayan used the term after being congratulated by a friend following his brace off the bench in Manchester United's 3-2 victory over Southampton last month.

But despite explaining that the message was "intended as an affectionate greeting" and that he is "completely opposed to racism", the former Paris Saint-Germain striker has been charged by the Football Association.


He elected against contesting the misconduct charge and will now be suspended for upcoming games against Aston Villa, Manchester City (Carabao Cup semi-final) and Watford (FA Cup), in addition to being fined £100,000 and enrolled onto an education course.

United issued the following official statement on the matter via their club website: "As he has stated, Edinson Cavani wasn't aware that his words could have been misconstrued and he sincerely apologised for the post and to anyone who was offended.

"Despite his honest belief that he was simply sending an affectionate thank-you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge, out of respect for, and solidarity with, the FA and the fight against racism in football.

"While it is clear that context and intent are key factors, we note that the independent Regulatory Commission was required to impose a minimum three-game suspension. The club trusts that the independent Regulatory Commission will make it clear in its written reasons that Edinson Cavani is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post."

The situation has been compared to Cavani's compatriot Luis Suarez, who was given an eight-game ban after being found guilty of racially abusing Patrice Evra in 2011.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Suarez had used a similar word to Cavani, but in a much different context.

Last year, Manchester City's Bernardo Silva was given a one-game ban after he posted a tweet comparing teammate Benjamin Mendy to a cartoon character from Spanish chocolate peanut brand Conguitos.

The FA said the post, composed a day after Silva's hat-trick against Watford, "was insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute".

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Edinson Cavani

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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