Troy Deeney reveals he's received more than A THOUSAND racist messages since Edinson Cavani comments

Watford striker Troy Deeney has revealed he has been the target of over a thousand horrific racist messages after insisting Edinson Cavani should receive more than a three-match ban for using the word 'negrito' in an Instagram post.

After Cavani's match-winning heroics against Southampton at the end of November, his performance was overshadowed when he posted the controversial Spanish term on social media.

Cavani later apologised, saying the post 'was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend', but the FA are now looking into the message.

Under FA rules, the striker could face a minimum of a three-match suspension if found guilty of an offence of discrimination.

But Deeney claimed that a three-match ban wouldn't be enough for Cavani, as well as insisting that the Uruguayan striker should be given extra education on the issue.

And after Deeney's initial comments, the Watford captain has revealed he has been the target of horrific racist abuse on social media as a consequence.

Deeney told talkSPORT: 'So last week when I spoke with you guys about Cavani, I have had over a thousand messages that have been saying effing n-word, a thousand of them.

I don't mind because social media isn't a big part of my life. I don't go on and there and go "ah it's my everything".

'I go on there and look at some pictures, laugh at some people and carry on with my day. My kids and my family are all that matter to me.'

In response to a message of congratulations after his brace against Southampton, seemingly from a friend, Cavani said on his Instagram story at the end of November: 'Gracias negrito.' The term, which makes reference to race, translates directly as 'Thanks black'.

Three hours after posting the tweet, it was deleted. Cavani insisted 'negrito' is a term of affection in South America and that will be his defence if any disciplinary action is taken.

And according to The Athletic, United will reportedly provide 'cultural context' to the FA in an effort to avoid Cavani receiving a lengthy suspension for his controversial social media post.

This includes written evidence that this was a specific nickname for the friend in question and that the term has been used by Cavani and his circle of friends.

There has been surprise in Cavani's home land at the FA investigation and linguist Amparo Fernandez, quoted by the Reuters news agency, said in parts of Latin America, the term was used affectionately.

However, both United and Cavani accept the word has different connotations in the UK and will accept the FA punishment.