Edinson Cavani faces FA investigation for potentially racist post on social media

The Football Association are to investigate after Edinson Cavani was reported to have used the words 'gracias negrito' in response to a message on social media.

A posting, which appeared on Instagram, has been sent to the FA and they confirmed to Telegraph Sport that they were aware of a message which has since been deleted and that they would be looking into it.

Cavani is understood to have been responding to a fan who had posted the words — 'asi te quiero matador' (I love you so killer) — following his dramatic late winner in Manchester United’s 3-2 victory at Southampton.

The word ‘negrito’ became part of the debate following the allegations against Luis Suárez, who is also from Uruguay, after Liverpool played Manchester United back in 2011.

However, it was his use of the word ‘negro’ to Patrice Evra which was highlighted in the FA’s verdict, as well as the heated nature of their exchange. The FA’s report said that he used the word 'negro' seven times. Suárez said in his autobiography that it was once but, in the same book, he explained that the word ‘negrito’ was used affectionately between his family members and was never meant as a racist slur. At the time, Gus Poyet, also from Uruguay, said that ‘negrito’ was not deemed offensive in his country but that “we need to adapt” and pay attention to “how we use it”.

The FA, in their Suarez report, also highlighted how Mexico forward Javier Hernandez said that the word ‘negrito’ can be used with close friends and in certain situations without it being offensive.

Manchester United believe that the term was clearly meant in the affectionate context that it is used in South America but, with Cavani aware that it can be interpreted differently, the post has been deleted.

The FA is now expected to ask Cavani for his observations but have, in recent years, sanctioned players over controversial social media postings. Bernardo Silva was banned last season for one match after posting — and then deleting — a picture of a character used in a chocolate brand. Dele Alli also received a one-game ban for a comment he posted about the coronavirus which was ruled to have breached FA Rule E3 which relates to any reference, whether express or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin and/or nationality.

Cavani joined United on loan from Paris St-Germain in October and starred in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Southampton. After coming on at half-time, he scored twice and also provided an assist to help United reverse a 2-0 half-time deficit.