The FA v Cavani

Edinson Cavani, Manchester City player, admitted to an offence under rule E3(2) (an E3(1) offence aggravated by reference to race) after he used the phrase "Gracias negrito" in a social media post. Cavani asserted that he had used the phrase as a term of endearment to address a friend. The FA did not contest Cavani's version of events and the Regulatory Commission, applying the sanction guidelines for aggravated breaches, found that the circumstances warranted departure from the standard minimum suspension of six games. The Commission was satisfied that Cavani had no intention to be discriminatory or offensive and Cavani "could not reasonably have known that any such offence would be caused". Cavani's suspension was reduced to three games.