Soccer: Man United’s Edinson Cavani, suspended for three games for offensive post

Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani was suspended from three games by the English Football Association on Thursday after using a Spanish term for blacks that he said was intended to be a warm greeting.

Cavani has also been fined 100,000 pounds (NZ $ 189,600) and ordered to complete face-to-face education after admitting that he broke FA rules.

The FA said the comment was “insulting, abusive, inappropriate and discredited the game” and was also an “aggravated offense” because “it included a reference, either express or implied, to color and / or race and / or origin. ethnic. “

The message was posted by the Uruguayan on Instagram after he scored twice in United’s 3-2 win at Southampton in October in the Premier League.

He reportedly reposted a message from a friend along with the words “Thank you, black,” which translates to “Thank you, black.”

“While it is clear that context and intent are key factors, we noted that the Independent Regulatory Commission was required to impose a minimum three-game suspension,” United said in a statement. “The club trusts that the independent Regulatory Commission will make clear in its written reasons that Edinson Cavani is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in connection with his position.”

The former Paris Saint-Germain player, who joined United as a free agent in October, has already apologized.

“Edinson Cavani was unaware that his words might have been misinterpreted and sincerely apologized for the post and for everyone who was offended,” United said. Despite his sincere belief that he was simply sending a warm thank you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he decided not to contest the charge out of respect and solidarity with the FA and the fight against racism in football. “