CAVANI TO FIGHT RACISM CHARGE

EDINSON CAVANI is consulting with Manchester United’s lawyers after being charged by the FA over his allegedly racist social media post.

The Uruguayan replied “gracias negrito” to a friend who congratulated him for scoring twice in United’s comeback win at Southampton last month.

He will contest the disrepute allegation and told the FA he did not knowingly make a racist comment.

Cavani, 33, runs the risk of having a three-match ban extended if he loses and is carefully considering his next move with club officials.

The FA have a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and described Cavani’s comments as an “aggravated breach” in a sign of how seriously the incident is viewed.

Cavani (above) deleted the post as soon as he was made aware the comments were unacceptable in England.

The former Paris SaintGermain striker, who joined on a free in October, has until January 4 to accept the charge and threematch suspension or fight it.

United said in a statement: “We note the FA decision to charge Edinson Cavani for his social media reply to a friend’s message of congratulations, following the Southampton game.

“Edinson and the club were clear that there was absolutely no malicious intent behind the message, which he deleted and apologised for, as soon as he was informed that it could have been misconstrued.

“The player and the club will now consider the charge and respond to the FA accordingly.”