BEVERLY HILLS, February 11, (THEWILL) – Edinson Cavani, Uruguayan striker for Manchester United, has been suspended for two of his country’s upcoming games over a horror tackle he made against Brazilian Richarlison in November last year.
He misses Uruguay’s qualification fixtures against Argentina on March 24 and Bolivia on March 29.
The 33-year-old was on national duty when he received a straight red card during their 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Brazil for an ugly 71st-minute stamp on English Premier League club Everton’s forward Richarlison’s ankle.
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that his punishment would be an additional suspension for two games.
At the end of the horrifying tackle, Richarlison noted that Cavani could have caused serious damage but for his good fortune. Yet, he held no grudge against his Premier League rival.
“I think it was a ball dispute, he went over the top. If my foot was stuck it might have even broken my ankle, but I think it wasn’t bad. He tried to steal the ball and ended up missing,” Richarlison said.
El Matador, as Cavani is popularly known, has made a huge positive impression for the Red Devils since he arrived at Old Trafford as a free agent in the summer window. The ex-PSG striker has enjoyed playing upfront as a starter and a substitute, scoring six goals in the Premier League and helping to create two more.
While this may be to Uruguay’s disadvantage, fans of the Red side of Manchester will be pleased that he will not make the South American team with the very real risk of injury and infection from the pandemic during the international break next month.
The desperation of the side to win some silverware this season means they need every player ready and available to join in the pursuit. They are next in action against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday for a must-win match to keep their now-flickering title hopes aflame. United are five points behind leaders, City, in second place, but with City having a game in hand.
In addition to the league chase, they must also consider the resumption of continental football. Next Thursday, they will go head-to-head against La Liga’s sixth-placed side, Real Sociedad, in the UEFA Europa League’s last-32 first leg. Therefore, it will be to their benefit to have a reliable veteran like Cavani ready and set to keep doing what he does best to keep their pursuit for a trophy alive.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
