Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has suggested that new players moving to the Premier League from overseas get training on acceptable language to avoid cultural and racial misunderstandings.
Uruguayan striker, Edinson Cavani, published a post containing a Spanish phrase on social media on Sunday and had to take it down after being told it was offensive in European contexts.
“There was no malicious intent at all,” Solskjaer said.
“It was just an affectionate greeting to a friend of his.”
“But we explained to him, he’s been asked by the FA to explain, so of course he’ll co-operate with them and we’ll support him.”
“I think it is one of those unfortunate situations that he’s just come into the country and in Uruguay, it’s been used in a different affection than what we have.”
Cavani posted on Instagram reacting to scoring a brace – including an injury-time winner – in an entertaining 3-2 victory for United away at Southampton.
The 33-year-old has since apologized, saying “it was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game”.
Cavani might have to face some time out of Premier League action with the FA’s regulation this season stating that any player found wanting in cases of racial discrimination be suspended for a minimum of three games.
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