Premier League: Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani was suspended from three games for racial term in a social media post

File photo of Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani. AP

LondonManchester United striker Edinson Cavani has been suspended for three games and fined £ 100,000 for using a racial term in a social media post, the Football Association announced on Thursday.

The 33-year-old summer signing produced a winning display at Southampton on November 29, providing an assist for Bruno Fernandes before scoring two goals in the 3-2 comeback.

Cavani posted a message on social media on Instagram shortly after the match, responding to a congratulatory message using the Spanish term “negrito” (little black person).

The Uruguayan quickly removed the post and issued an apology after being aware of the connotations, and the player released an apology statement saying he was “completely against racism.”

But the FA has now punished the forward after he admitted to breaking FA Rule E3.

“A comment posted on the Manchester United FC forward’s Instagram page was insulting, abusive, inappropriate and disparaged the game,” the FA said in a statement.

“The post also constitutes an ‘aggravated violation’ … as it included a reference, either express or implied, to color and / or race and / or ethnic origin,” the statement added.

Manchester United issued a statement saying Cavani was unaware that his words might have been misinterpreted and “sincerely apologized” for the post and for anyone who was offended.

“Despite his sincere belief that he was simply sending a warm thank you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge out of respect and solidarity with the FA and the fight against racism in football.” said the club.

United said it hoped the independent regulatory commission appointed to decide the sanction would make clear in its written reasons that the former Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player “is not racist, nor was there any racist intent in connection with his position.” .