The South American Football Confederation has offered their support in "solidarity" with Manchester United's Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani.

Cavani was banned for three games, fined £100,000 and ordered to undergo an 'education programme' by the English FA for an affectionate social media post made to a close friend.

The ruling has sparked outrage in Uruguay and now CONMEBOL has slammed the FA for their decision.

"CONMEBOL express their solidarity with player Edinson Cavani, who was sanctioned by the English FA," the confederation's statement read on Tuesday.

"The punishment handed to the said Uruguay international clearly does not take in account cultural characteristics and certain terms used in everyday life in Uruguay.

"The judgement on these types of declarations within the framework of a process which could lead to punishment for the athlete and could affect their reputation and good name, should always be carried out taking into account the context in which they were used and, above all, the cultural peculiarities of each player and each country.

"CONMEBOL condemns and will always condemn to the highest possible degree, any form of racist or discriminatory act, but the particular case for which Cavani was sanctioned does not form part of those."