Manchester United forward Edinson Cavani has been accused of misconduct by the Football Association over the use of a racist term in a social media post.
The 33-year-old Uruguayan posted a message on Instagram on November 29 containing the word ‘negrito’.
He fired the post and issued an apology, but the FA announced Thursday that he had been charged.
The FA said: “Edinson Cavani was charged with misconduct for breaching the FA’s E3 Rule on the role of social media on November 29, 2020.
“It is alleged that, contrary to FA Rule E3.1, a comment posted on the Manchester United player’s Instagram page was offensive and / or abusive and / or inappropriate and / or offensive. reputation for the game.
It is also argued that the idea includes an “Accelerated Breach”, which is defined in Rule FA E3.2, as it included a reference, however obvious. or intelligible, for color and / or race and / or racial origin. ”
The FA said Cavani had until Monday, January 4 to respond to the allegation.
United issued a statement in response to the allegation which stated: “Manchester United and all our players are fully committed to the fight against racism and we will continue to work with the FA – with governing bodies and other organizations, and through our own initiatives – in that regard.
“We note the FA’s decision today to sue Edinson Cavani for his response on social media for a friend’s congratulatory message, following the Southampton game.
“Edinson and the club were clear that there was no malicious intent behind the message, which he dismissed and apologized for, as soon as he became aware that it could be misused.
“The player and the club will now consider the allegation and respond to the FA accordingly. ”
Cavani apologized on 30 November.
“The message I sent out after the game on Sunday was intended to be a friendly greeting to a friend, thanking him for his post-match congratulations. The last thing I wanted to do was offend anyone, ”he said.
“I am totally against racism and I deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently.
“I would like to apologize for this.”