Uruguay Players says Cavani is Against Racism
Following the ban of Uruguay and Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani, Uruguay’s players’ union has called on the Football Association to overturn the ban as they believe their player will not support racism of any sort.
The Manchester United striker was given a three match ban and a fine of £100,000. The ban was for an Instagram post containing a Spanish word that is offensive in some contexts.
Luis Suarez and Diego Godin have both shared a statement by their national players’ union that calls the punishment a “discriminatory” act.
Uruguay’s Football Association (AUF) also wants the ban reviewed. Godin, and former Barcelona and Liverpool striker Suarez shared on Twitter a letter of support for their international team-mate Cavani, written by the Uruguayan Football Players’ Association (AFU).
The players said in a statement: “against the culture and way of life of the Uruguayan people”.”Edinson Cavani has never committed any conduct that could be interpreted as racist,” said the AFU statement.
“He merely used a common expression in Latin America to affectionately address a loved one or close friend.”
“The sanction shows the English Football Association’s biased, dogmatic and ethnocentric vision that only allows a subjective interpretation to be made from its particular and excluding conclusion, however flawed it may be.
“We request the FA to immediately overturn the sanction imposed on Edinson Cavani and reinstate his good name and honour in the world that has been so unfairly tarnished by this reprehensible decision.”
In a separate statement, the Uruguayan FA said: “We are convinced from our deep knowledge of the person and the analysis of the fact that he is not worthy of the [the punishment] nor the consequent moral damage.”