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Edinson Cavani: Manchester United forward apologises for social media post

Both Edinson Cavani and Man Utd have issued statements, stressing offensive word was used in an affectionate manner and has different connotations in South America,where Cavani is from; Instagram story since deleted but FA still expected to investigate.

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Speaking on MNF, Gary Neville believes players should be subject to regular diversity inclusion training to avoid incidents like Edinson Cavani's shared Instagram post this week.

Edinson Cavani has apologised for any unintentional offence caused by a social media post following Manchester United's comeback win over Southampton on Sunday.

The Uruguayan international shared an Instagram story from a fan, using a racially offensive term and although the post has since been deleted the Football Association (FA) is expected to investigate the online post.

Both the player and Manchester United have since issued statements, stressing the word was used in an affectionate manner and has different connotations in South America.

​​A statement from Cavani read: "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. 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."

Manchester United added: "It is clear to us that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind Edinson's message and 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."

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United's win over Southampton in the Premier League.

The FA issued guidelines ahead of this season clamping down on racist and discriminatory language and behaviour, with offences on social media carrying a minimum three-game ban.

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out released a statement regarding Cavani's post and again called for overseas players to be educated on language which may cause offence in the UK.

"We are aware of a comment made last night on social media by Edinson Cavani that, in its native tongue, can be offensive in some contexts," it read.

"We understand that the FA is investigating and the club and player are co-operating with that investigation. We await the outcome of that investigation.

"As we have said before, we believe that it would be helpful for overseas players, coming to England, to have routine education on language that may be unacceptable in this country."

Facebook, the owners of Instagram, have been approached for comment.

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Following Edinson Cavani's social media post, Kick It Out’s Head of Development Troy Townsend believes players need more education on what language is acceptable to use - particularly overseas players coming into the Premier League.

Neville: Players need diversity inclusion training

Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Gary Neville believes players should be subject to regular diversity inclusion training to avoid such incidents.

"We're here again aren't we? We had an incident a few years ago at Liverpool where a similar word was used by Luis Suarez and every time there is an alleged offence of racism, there is an offence of racism or someone is offended by a word that's used that is inappropriate, we hear the words 'education and training'," Neville said.

"Yet still, football is incapable of putting a curriculum in place for its players, members and fans that is compulsory.

"Why isn't Edinson Cavani subjected to diversity inclusion training and education the minute he comes into this county?

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Sue Smith says clubs can do more to educate players as Manchester United's Edinson Cavani is expected to face an FA probe into a social media post for which he apologised over 'any unintentional offence caused'.

"If we are truly going to root out discrimination in this country it has to become part of the curriculum at school, part of the curriculum within sport and every employer in the country has to enter into a diversity inclusion training programme and implement it and execute it.

"In football we have banners, players taking the knee, flags and badges but where is the education and training?

"This situation could have been prevented and we will continue to see incidents like this until the Premier League, FA, EFL, LMA and PFA all take responsibility.

"There's five of them, all funded so put a diversity inclusion set of protocols and processes in place that are fixed and all five buy up to.

"They need to collaborate on important issues that are societal and drive it out of the game with players and everyone in the game taking part in bi-weekly, monthly training - otherwise this will continue to happen."

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