Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has been banned for three games and fined £100,000 after using a racial term in on social media.

The 33-year-old Uruguayan used the word “negrito” in an Instagram post last month.

He was cock-a-hoop scoring two goals to beat Southampton last November.

In an exchange with delighted fans, he used the word.

He said it was used as a term of affection to a friend.

However, the Football Association (FA) decided otherwise.

In a statement it ruled Cavani will miss United’s league game against Aston Villa, the League Cup semi-final against Manchester City and the FA Cup match against Watford.

The FA added:

“A comment posted on the Manchester United striker’s Instagram page was insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.

“The post also constitutes an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3.2, as it included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”

The FA said Cavani would also have to have “face-to-face” education concerning his remark.

Manchester United said Cavani decided not to fight the allegation out of respect for the FA and the “fight against racism in football”.

A club statement said:

“Despite his honest belief that he was simply sending an affectionate thank-you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge.

“The club trusts that the independent Regulatory Commission will make it clear in its written reasons that Edinson Cavani is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post.”