![](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletter\/football\/football-thumb\/football-thumb.png\")
<\/p>\nAlejandro Garnacho, left, posted this picture with Andre Onana alongside two gorilla emojis<\/p>\n
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Andre Onana has called for his Manchester United teammate Alejandro Garnacho not to be punished by the Football Association after the Argentine winger posted two gorilla emojis beside a picture of the Cameroonian goalkeeper. <\/p>\n
The image, on Garnacho\u2019s X account, showed Onana celebrating with clenched fists after his last-minute penalty save ensured United beat FC Copenhagen 1-0 in their crucial Champions League group stage match at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening. <\/p>\n
Garnacho, 19, was criticised by some fans on social media for using gorilla emojis, which have racial connotations, and he deleted the post soon afterwards. The FA is now investigating.<\/p>\n
Onana later posted on Instagram: \u201cPeople cannot choose what I should be offended by. I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power & strength. This matter should go no further.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FA has punished Premier League players over social media posts in the past. The former United striker Edinson Cavani was handed a three-game ban and a \u00a3100,000 fine for using racial language, even though an investigation acknowledged that \u201che could not have known offence would be caused\u201d.<\/p>\n
Manchester City\u2019s Bernardo Silva was banned for one game for comparing his teammate Benjamin Mendy with the black character of a Spanish chocolate brand, Conguitos. He was also ordered to attend an education programme. <\/p>\n