Manchester United are under pressure from fan groups after £84m winger Antony was accused of domestic violence by his former girlfriend.
Just weeks after the club were criticised for their handling of Mason Greenwood, they are now facing scrutiny around the handling of their 23-year-old forward.
Antony was dropped by Brazil for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru after detailed allegations were published by UOL from ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin that he physically and verbally assaulted her.
The Brazilian federation released a statement that read: “As a result of the facts that have come to light, and which need to be investigated, and in order to safeguard the supposed victim, the player, and the Brazilian national team the CBF have withdrawn [Antony] from the squad.”
Police in Sao Paulo and Manchester have confirmed they are investigating the claims, which Antony strenuously denies.
Among the allegations are that he headbutted Ms Cavallin earlier this year in a Manchester hotel and punched her, requiring corrective surgery on a silicone breast implant. She also claimed he threatened to throw her out of a moving car while she was pregnant.
Manchester United did not comment when contacted by i but it is understood they will continue to keep the situation under review.
It is a delicate situation for United’s hierarchy coming so soon after the Greenwood case. Greenwood was subjected to a six-month internal investigation after charges of rape and controlling and coercive behaviour were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service after the withdrawal of key witnesses.
Greenwood subsequently admitted to making mistakes in the past but denied the allegations that were made against him and he has now been signed by Spanish side Getafe on a season-long loan.
Campaign group Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return, which was pressurising United not to countenance Greenwood’s re-integration, led calls for the club to bring independent domestic abuse specialists in to oversee their handling of the Antony case. And they said wider reform was required.
Posting on social media they wrote: “The allegations against Antony are horrific and shows that clubs and football authorities need to step their game up in how they respond to these issues, because they’re going to keep happening.
“There need to be protocols in place that take decisions out of club hands as we know clubs are incapable of being objective and acting in the wider best interest in these cases.
“Charities and organisations which work to support both survivors and perpetrators of abuse need to be central to developing and advising on how to handle these cases and swifter action needs to be taken in cases where those working in football are arrested and charged for crimes of violence and abuse to protect and support both fans and their colleagues within their club [and] the wider football industry.”
Red Devils fan Rachel Riley, who called for CEO Richard Arnold to consider his position as part of the Greenwood fall-out, questioned the club’s “due diligence” on players they recruit after the allegations emerged and called for the club to alter the way they deal with complaints.
“This time domestic abuse experts need to be involved in the club’s processes,” she wrote.
The situation is another testing one for the club, who are understood to be well aware of the sensitivities and seriousness of the allegations. But they also have a duty to the player, who has denied them.
The Brazil winger posted a statement on Instagram which reaffirmed his earlier rebuttals.
He wrote: “Out of respect to my fans, friends and family I feel obligated to speak publicly about the accusations I have been a victim of.
“From the beginning I have handled this seriously and with respect, providing the due clarifications to the police authority.
“The police inquest is under cover of justice and therefore I cannot make its content public. However I can say with confidence that the accusations are false and that the evidence already produced and more to be produced show that I am innocent of the accusations made.
“My relationship with Ms Gabriela was tumultuous with verbal offenses from both sides but I never practiced any physical aggression.
“Every time, whether in testimony or in interviews, she presents a different version of accusations.
“Thus, I come to deny the accusations made and inform that I remain at the full disposal of the Brazilian authorities to clarify what is needed.
“I trust the ongoing police investigation will reveal the truth about my innocence.”
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