In a recent social media post, Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, 19, finds himself at the center of a potential Football Association (FA) investigation. The post in question celebrated Manchester United’s 1-0 Champions League victory over FC Copenhagen, thanks in part to a crucial stoppage-time penalty save by his teammate Andre Onana.
Garnacho expressed his jubilation with a tweet that featured a now-deleted picture of Onana, himself, and their teammates celebrating the victory. Alongside the image were two gorilla emojis. This post caught the attention of the FA, which has since requested Garnacho’s comments on the matter. Follow your favourite Premier League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
The FA, known for its strict stance on discriminatory language and behavior, has a history of punishing players for controversial social media content. Notably, in 2020, Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani received a three-game ban and a £100,000 ($128,000) fine for using a term that had racial connotations in a comment on Instagram, despite his apologies and explanations.
Cavani’s case set a precedent, with the FA emphasizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and understanding. It was highlighted that he had not received any media training upon his arrival in England and had limited experience living in English-speaking countries. The FA acknowledged his genuine remorse while penalizing him for an aggravated breach of the rules relating to racism.
In a similar incident, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva faced a £50,000 fine and a one-match ban for a social media post that was interpreted as racially insensitive. The FA’s independent commission considered Bernardo’s character and disciplinary record when deciding on his punishment. Although he did not intend to be racist, he was required to attend a mandatory face-to-face education program.
In the midst of the potential FA investigation, Andre Onana, the subject of Garnacho’s post, took to Instagram to express his support for his teammate. He insisted that he understood the intentions behind Garnacho’s post, which he interpreted as a symbol of power and strength. Onana encouraged the matter not to escalate further.
As the football world awaits the FA’s decision on this controversial social media post, Manchester United will soon be in action against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday. The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Garnacho and serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible and sensitive social media usage in professional sports. Get the latest updates from the world of football only on Nextbet Sports.
