Godin posted a statement from the Uruguayan players’ union that said the English FA, not Cavani, has committed a “discriminatory and racist act” because the three-game suspension punishes “our whole culture, our way of life.”
“Unfortunately, through its sanction, the
Suarez, a striker for Atlético
The players’ union statement urged the English FA to review its disciplinary processes “to take into account the plurality of people’s ways of life and cultures,” and overturn the sanction on Cavani that it says has tarnished his reputation.
Cavani was also fined 100,000 pounds (
The FA said the comment was “insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute” and also was an “aggravated breach” because it “included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”
Cavani, who has already served one match of the ban, apologized soon after sending the message and didn’t contest the charge “out of respect for, and solidarity with, the FA and the fight against racism in football,” United said.
He did say, however, that his “heart is at peace” over his message in which he “expressed myself with affection according to my culture and way of life.”
Among the players to react following the announcement of Cavani's ban was United's Argentine defender,
“The analysis of the event that ended in a disciplinary process and in an imposed sanction has deserved unanimous rebuke from those that apply the most basic criteria of cultural contextualization and meaning of the expressions said in Spanish language,” the AUF said.
The English FA didn't respond directly to the accusations of the Uruguayan players' union, instead repeating the reasons why Cavani was punished.
The FA said the written reasons for the sanction imposed by the independent regulatory commission will be published in due course.
Suarez was banned by the English FA for eight matches in 2011 — when he was a Liverpool player — after being found guilty of racially abusing
The statement released by Godin, a defender for
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