Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has been hit with a three-match ban and £100,000 fine by the Football Association for using a racial term in a social media post.
The 33-year-old summer signing produced a match-winning display at Southampton on November 29, providing an assist for Bruno Fernandes before netting a brace in a 3-2 comeback win.
Cavani posted a social media message on Instagram shortly after the match, replying to a message of congratulations using the Spanish term "negrito", which translates as "black".
The Uruguayan swiftly deleted the post and issued an apology after being made aware of the connotations, with the player releasing an apologetic statement the following day saying he was "completely opposed to racism".
But the FA charged the striker with "misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3" in relation to his social media post on December 19 and has now banned him for three games.
The FA said in a statement: "Edinson Cavani has been suspended for three games, fined £100,000 and must complete face-to-face education after admitting a charge for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a social media post on Sunday 29 November 2020."
The statement continued: "A comment posted on the Manchester United FC striker's Instagram page was insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.
"The post also constitutes an "aggravated breach", which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.
"An independent Regulatory Commission was appointed to decide the sanction and its written reasons will be published in due course."
Cavani will miss the New Year's Day match against Aston Villa along with the Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City and the FA Cup third-round tie against Watford.
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Player ratings from Southampton 2 United 3
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SOUTHAMPTON RATINGS: Alex McCarthy - 7: Charged off his line after five minutes and rounded by Greenwood but relieved to see United attacker put ball in side netting. Brilliant double save to deny Greenwood and Fernandes. Important stop from Rashford early in second half. Might be disappointed with positioning for United winner. Getty -
Kyle Walker-Peters - 7: An important cog in the Southampton machine, the former Spurs right-back did well but looked shattered by end. PA -
Jannik Vestergaard - 6: Seemed to completely lose his bearings while awaiting a call from McCarthy after five minutes and allowed Greenwood in on goal. Recovered and looked solid but was only defender sitting deep to play Cavani onside for his opening goal. PA -
Jan Bednarek - 6: Glancing header from Ward-Prowse corner in crowded penalty area to put Saints in front with their first real attempt on goal after 24 minutes. Like fellow centre-back Vestergaard, found Cavani a handful when the Uruguayan came on in second half. Reuters -
Ryan Bertrand - 7: Dangerous partnership with Djenepo down left but was caught in possession at start of move for United’s first goal. Vital sliding challenge prevented United counter-attacking with a numerical advantage near the end. AP -
Stuart Armstrong - 6: First touch let him down with goal at his mercy after De Gea saved from Djenepo as he fluffed opportunity to make it 3-0 in first half. Never gave United players chance to relax in possession but, like rest of his teammates, looked shattered in last 10 minutes. Getty -
Oriol Romeu – 7: Lucky to escape booking for first-half challenge on Fernandes but was relentless in his pressuring of United players. Tired pass intercepted by United in the last 10 minutes gifted chance to United. EPA -
James Ward-Prowse - 8: Now officially crowned as new king of the dead ball – appropriate against David Beckham’s old club. It was his whipped in corner that set up Bednarek goal, then hit trademark free-kick past despairing dive of De Gea to make it 2-0. Fabulous technique. AP -
Theo Walcott - 6: Quieter game than his recent efforts. Found a bit of space in box just after break but shot comfortably saved by Henderson. Another effort straight at keeper minutes later. AFP -
Moussa Djenepo – 8: A constant danger to United producing some lovely stepovers and change of pace. Brought down on edge of box on one of his runs to hand free-kick chance to Ward-Prowse for second goal. Had low drive from edge of box well saved by De Gea. Ran out of steam in second half. AFP -
Che Adams - 7: Beautiful crossfield ball to set Djenepo off on attack just after half hour, left limping before break after being caught on follow through by Fred challenge. Brought high ball down brilliantly after 78 minutes but pulled shot just wide. Good performance up front. AFP -
SUBS: Shane Long (No live image) - (On for Djenepo 72') 5: Came on with United in the ascendency and no chance to make impact. Getty -
Ibrahima Diallo – (On for Armstrong 89’) N/A. Reuters -
Daniel N'Lundulu – (On for Walker-Peters 90+4) N/A. Reuters -
David de Gea - 5: Neither goal reflected well on him, though he wasn’t totally responsible for either. Got his hand to Ward Prowse’s free-kick. Off injured at half-time. -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 6: Tough time against Djenepo in first half, better in second and floated a ball in for Cavani who nearly equalised in a taste of what was coming. Reuters -
Victor Lindelof - 6: Didn’t deserve to be 2-0 down at half time. Five in the first half, seven in the second, but passed accurately in both. Reuters -
Harry Maguire - 6: Said United had given away two soft goals and wasn’t wrong. Side he captained lost shape in first half but showed immense character against a team who’d drawn four of their last five games against United.. Reuters -
Alex Telles - 7: First Premier League away game. Good going forward and, unlike his teammates, with corners. Most involved and best defender for second successive game. Getty -
Fred - 7: Gave away free-kick in dangerous position which led to second. Teed-up Fernandes to shoot which led to goal and, like his team, improved in the second and got right forward. More touches than any other player. AP -
Nemanja Matic - 7: Started well, faded as Southampton struck twice, then solid in second half. Getty -
Donny van de Beek - 7: Not quite as bright in the diamond as he had been versus Istanbul, but impressive combining with Fernandes in his first away league start against a very decent opponent. PA -
Bruno Fernandes - 8: Clattered by Romeu, then shot wide as United started well. Beaten by Djenepo after United fell behind. Rightly disappointed after 30th minute effort when should’ve scored. Struck a dreadful corner but scored a minute later. Set up Cavani for 2-2. A goal and assist machine and at the heart of United’s creativity. Reuters -
Marcus Rashford - 6: Switched with Greenwood in a front two. Unable to stop Bednarek for first goal. Still far from his best but superb cross for Cavani’s winner on a day when he was more effective in build-ups. Reuters -
Mason Greenwood - 5: Sharp start and shot wide from tight angle when should have scored. Played more on right and struggled into a two up front as barely touch ball. Hooked at half-time. AFP -
SUBS: Edinson Cavani - (On for Greenwood 46') 9: Took time to lace his boots, started brightly, shot over and then smartly picked out Fernandes for United’s first before heading the equaliser and he wasn’t finished. Full of energy, movement, anticipation and presence. PA -
Dean Henderson - (On for De Gea 46') 7: Did well, though he wasn’t required as much as De Gea. reuters -
Brandon Williams - (On for Telles 84') N/A. Getty
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United felt the striker should not be charged given it was an inadvertent mistake by a non-English speaker and hope the £100,000 fine is used to support anti-racism projects.
The club said in a statement: "As he has stated, Edinson Cavani wasn't aware that his words could have been misconstrued and he sincerely apologised for the post and to anyone who was offended.
"Despite his honest belief that he was simply sending an affectionate thank you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge out of respect for, and solidarity with, the FA and the fight against racism in football.
"While it is clear that context and intent are key factors, we note that the independent Regulatory Commission was required to impose a minimum three game suspension.
"The club trusts that the independent Regulatory Commission will make it clear in its written reasons that Edinson Cavani is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post."
