Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has been handed a three-match ban by the Football Association for using a racial term in a social media post.
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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 17 and has now banned him for three matches.
The governing body said in a statement: "Edinson Cavani has been suspended for three games, fined STG100,000 and must complete face-to-face education after admitting a charge for a breach ... in relation to a social media post on Sunday 29 November 2020.
"A comment posted on the Manchester United FC striker's Instagram page was insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute.
"The post also constitutes an "aggravated breach" as it included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin."
Cavani will miss the Premier League match against Aston Villa on New Year's Day along with the League Cup semi-final against Manchester City and the FA Cup third-round tie against Watford.
United are understood to have felt the striker should not have been charged given it was an inadvertent mistake by a non-English speaker and hope the STG100,000 ($A1.7 million) 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."
Australian Associated Press
