How come Cavani didn’t know about racist term?
THE most incredible aspect of Edinson Cavani’s ban for using racist language is that in close on 13 years based in leagues across Italy, France and England, nobody has ever thought to explain cultural differences to the Uruguayan striker. There was shock that Manchester United did not provide media training to a man with eight million Instagram followers, yet what of Palermo, Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain? Cavani spent six years in Italy, seven in France, and nobody ever told him the ‘negrito’ thing wasn’t cool? Did they think it was cool too maybe? Did they think it didn’t matter? Whatever criticism can be aimed at United, they were probably as surprised as anybody to discover that a player whose first move to Europe was inspired by an outstanding display at the South American Youth Championship in 2007, had never been informed that what passes as a friendly greeting in South America has the power to offend here. And where were CONMEBOL, the South American federation, in this? They attacked the Football Association decision to ban Cavani, claiming the punishment had damaged his reputation. Yet given that 68 of 115 players who represented South American countries at the last World Cup were based in Europe — with another two in North America, where language is equally charged — where is CONMEBOL’s guidance to their exiled talent? Cavani’s international team-mates also rallied around, ludicrously accusing the FA of discrimination but are they also pleading ignorance? Uruguay’s 2018 World Cup squad was largely plucked from Europe — 14 of 23 were at UEFA clubs — and based in centres from Istanbul in the east to Lisbon in the west. And nobody knew? Nobody could have shared an experience, had a quiet word? Cavani’s ban seems harsh for what appears a genuine mistake. Education would have been a wiser option than the FA’s standard nut-cracking sledgehammer. Yet it is disingenuous to heap blame on Manchester United for a 33-year-old living in ignorance of the continent he has inhabited since the age of 19. There have been many teachable moments missed along the way — or wantonly ignored.