Bernardo Silva: FA publish written reasons for Manchester City player’s racist tweet ban

Bernardo set to miss City’s home meeting with Chelsea later this month

Bernardo Silva has received racism accusations following a tweet (AFP/Getty)

Bernardo Silva’s “exemplary character and disciplinary record” was taken into account when considering the Manchester City playmaker’s one-match suspension for a racist tweet.

Silva will miss City’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea later this month having admitted to breaching the Football Association’s misconduct rules.

The 25-year-old has also been fined £50,000 fine and must complete a face-to-face education course after comparing team-mate Benjamin Mendy to a racist cartoon.

The cartoon – a mascot of Spanish confectionery brand Conguitos – was condemned as “discriminatory” by Kick It Out, the anti-racism body.

Silva subsequently admitted to breaching FA Rule E3, which rules that players “shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute”.

In their written reasons for the punishment, the FA’s regulatory commission cited several mitigating factors in Bernardo’s favour which were considered.

The commission believed that Bernardo “did not have any knowledge of the historical connotations of the Conguitos character.”

The commission also accepted Bernardo’s claim that the tweet was “not intended by him to be either racist or offensive in any way” and noted that it was “promptly deleted”.

“The player and his club have taken steps themselves to ensure that the player has a greater understanding of his responsibilities on social media,” the governing body’s report said.

Bernardo “made an early admission in full cooperation with the disciplinary process”, and the commission noted his “exemplary character and disciplinary record.”

However, given that the tweet’s content and the fact it was published to approximately 600,000 followers – described as a “extensive public audience” – the commission felt a one-game ban was suitable punishment.

City do not plan to appeal against Bernardo’s one-game ban but believe the commission’s recommended punishment to be excessive.

Bernardo’s suspension leaves Pep Guardiola without a key player for their meeting with third-placed Chelsea, who visit the Etihad on 23 November.