Troy Deeney has insisted a three-game ban is not enough for Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani after he posted a Spanish term with alleged racial connotations on social media on Sunday.
Cavani came off the bench to score a brace and hand Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side a dramatic 3-2 win at Southampton.
But the Uruguayan striker’s heroics at St Mary’s were overshadowed when he posted a controversial Spanish term on social media in the hours that followed – on Tuesday afternoon, Cavani ‘sincerely apologised’, saying the post ‘was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend.’
Troy Deeney says a three-game ban is not enough for Edinson Cavani after he posted a Spanish term with racial connotations on social media
Cavani’s post translates to ‘thanks black’ as he appeared to respond to a congratulatory post
The Uruguayan striker, pictured arriving for training Monday morning, is facing an FA probe
His full statement on the United website reads: ‘The message I posted after the match on Sunday was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game.
‘The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone. I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently. I would like to sincerely apologise for this.’
In response to a message of congratulations, seemingly from a friend, Cavani said on his Instagram story on Sunday: ‘Gracias negrito.’ The term, which makes reference to race, translates directly as ‘Thanks black’.
Three hours after posting the tweet, it was deleted. Cavani insists ‘negrito’ is a term of affection in South America and that will be his defence if any disciplinary action is taken.
Cavani is now facing an FA probe but Deeney, speaking on the talkSPORT breakfast show on Monday, thinks the United star should be given more than a three-game ban, as well as extra education on the issue.
The Watford striker said: ‘It’s never right, no matter which way you look at it.
‘I just think when you write a message out, it’s considered, nine times out of ten, that you’ll proofread it before putting it out there because you don’t want to make yourself look an idiot.
Cavani was United’s hero at St Mary’s, but now will face tough questions over the incident
‘But at no point did he think “that’s not right” – that’s what worried me a little bit.
‘I understand we get three-game bans now, but I just want to know whether the FA are educating players when they come to this country.
‘I don’t think he’s meant it to insult anyone, but he needs to be educated on what is acceptable and what isn’t.’
When asked if a three-match ban for Cavani is enough, Deeney added: ‘No, I don’t think it is.
‘It’s a considered post. He’s written it out, thought about it, and he’s got people around him who would say, “I don’t think you should really do that”.
‘He’s probably acted in a moment of happiness, obviously after scoring, that’s why I don’t take it as he meant offence by it, he just hasn’t understood the ramifications of his words.
‘I do think at times three games isn’t enough, because it’s got to be three games with a form of education in my opinion.’
Cavani heads home United’s winner in added time after also bringing them level at St Mary’s
United said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon: ‘It is clear to us that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind Edinson’s message and he deleted it as soon as he was informed that it could be misconstrued.
‘Edinson has issued an apology for any unintentional offence caused. Manchester United and all of our players are fully committed to the fight against racism.’
The FA published updated punishment guidelines ahead of the start of a new season in a clampdown on racism and discriminatory behaviour.
Any discriminatory behaviour on social media will carry a minimum three-game suspension for culprits compared to bans of between six and 12 games for offences that take place in matches.
The bans were increased after Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Tottenham’s Dele Alli were suspended for just one-game after breaching FA rules with posts on social media.
The incident also quickly led to comparisons being drawn between Cavani and his fellow Uruguayan Suarez.
Former Liverpool striker Suarez was banned for eight games and fined £40,000 for using the word ‘negro’ towards ex-United defender Patrice Evra in 2011.
Suarez attempted to argue in his FA hearing that the word in Uruguay and other parts of Latin America is inoffensive in certain situations.
Edinson Cavani and Manchester United are left in limbo as the FA begin lengthy investigation into striker’s ‘negrito’ Instagram post which sparked a racism row… with the Uruguayan facing a MINIMUM three-match ban if he’s found to have breached rules
Edinson Cavani and Manchester United are facing an anxious wait to find out if he will be in hot water with the FA for the social media post which sparked a race storm.
The FA are looking into a now-deleted message from the Uruguayan striker in which he responded to congratulations following his two-goal display at Southampton with the phrase ‘gracias negrito,’ a Spanish term with alleged racial connotations.
Cavani could receive a minimum three-game ban if the FA decide his Instagram post was in breach of their rules after updating their guidelines on sanctions for discriminatory behaviour ahead of this season.
Edinson Cavani faces an anxious wait to see if he will be in hot water after the Instagram post
But the case will not be treated like an on-field incident which can involve charges being fast-tracked in order for a hearing to take place before a potential offender would next play.
Instead, the initial investigation will involve a longer process while the FA gather evidence before deciding whether to charge Cavani.
It may not be until the midweek at the earliest before the FA are in position to determine whether Cavani has a case to answer.
The post remained on Cavani’s account for some time before it was deleted after he was informed by Manchester United officials about the offence caused.
Cavani could be asked to give his observations as the FA begin their lengthy investigation
Cavani, who could be asked to give his observations, and United insist the term ‘negrito’ was used as one of affection.
The incident quickly led to comparisons being drawn between Cavani and his fellow Uruguayan Suarez.
Cavani’s countryman, then Liverpool striker Suarez, was banned for eight games and fined £40,000 for using the word ‘negro’ after clashing with United defender Patrice Evra in 2011.
Suarez attempted to argue in his FA hearing that the word in Uruguay and other parts of Latin America is inoffensive in certain situations.
There are comparisons with Luis Suarez, who used the word ‘negro’ in a clash with Patrice Evra
In his book he later insisted the word does not mean the same in English as Spanish and he was unaware of the difference and its ‘highly-offensive’ meaning here at the time, even though he used it in a row with the Frenchman. His suggestions were rejected by the FA’s independent commission.
He also explained in his book: ‘Negro can refer to anyone with dark hair as well as dark skin and I’ve been used to the word being used in Spanish in this way all my life.
‘My wife sometimes calls me “Negro” or (the diminutive version) “Negrito”. My grandmother used to call my grandfather “Negrito” and she would occasionally call me that too.’
The FA published updated punishment guidelines ahead of the start of a new season in a clampdown on racism and discriminatory behaviour.
The post remained on Cavani’s Instagram account for some time before it was deleted
Any on social media will carry a minimum three-game suspension for culprits compared to bans of between six and 12 games for offences that take place in matches.
The bans were increased after Manchester City’s Bernando Silva and Tottenham’s Dele Alli were suspended for just one-game last season after breaching FA rules with posts on social media.
The new FA policies mean the fact incidents may take place privately or ‘outside of a standard football setting’, such as Cavani’s, would no longer be a reason for offenders to be spared punishment.
