Soccer-FA charges Man City's Silva with misconduct over Mendy tweet

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association (FA) over a Twitter post concerning team mate Benjamin Mendy last month. Portugal's Silva came under fire from anti-racism body Kick It Out after posting a message on Sept. 22 comparing Mendy to a character used in the logo for Conguitos, a confectionary brand popular in Spain and Portugal, before deleting it.

"Silva has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3," the FA said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the player had until Oct. 9 to respond. "It is alleged that the City player's activity breaches FA Rule E3(1) as it was insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.

"It is further alleged that the activity constitutes an aggravated breach... as it included reference, whether expressed or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin." City manager Pep Guardiola had said last month that it would be a mistake for the FA to punish Silva over the tweet.

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