Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani explains controversial Instagram post

Cavani apologise for using term as ‘an affectionate greeting to a friend’ 

Mark Critchley
Northern Football Correspondent
Monday 30 November 2020 10:51 EST
Comments
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Edinson Cavani has apologised for his deleted Instagram post which contained a Spanish phrase that can be deemed offensive.

The Manchester United striker is set to be the subject of an investigation by the Football Association for the message, which was posted after he scored United’s late winner in a 3-2 comeback win at Southampton on Sunday.

Cavani could face a three-match ban for using the term ‘negrito’, which he says he used as an affectionate term to a friend who was congratulating him on his winning goal.

The 33-year-old striker deleted the post once he was made aware of how it could be interpreted and has now apologised in a statement.

“The message I posted after the game 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," he said in a statement. 

Read more: Edinson Cavani could face three-game ban after Manchester United star uses racial term on social media

"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.”

United simultaneously released a club statement in which they said there was “absolutely no malicious intent” behind Cavani’s message and that 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 club added.

Any player found guilty of an offence of discrimination on social media faces a minimum three-match suspension, according to guidelines which came into force at the start of the season.

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva and Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli both received a one-match ban last season for posts which were deemed racially offensive.

Cavani was introduced at half time with United trailing 2-0 to Southampton, then provided an assist for team-mate Bruno Fernandes before scoring twice to take all three points.

The Uruguay international is a new arrival at Old Trafford having joined as a free agent on the final day of the summer transfer window, following seven years at Paris Saint-Germain.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in