Manchester United has taken the step of placing winger Antony on a leave of absence amidst allegations of abuse from three women in Brazil. These serious accusations came to light last week when Antony was removed from the Brazil squad, initially due to allegations made by his former girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin. Subsequently, two more women have come forward with similar assault allegations against him.
In a statement released on Sunday, Manchester United officially acknowledged the allegations against Antony and expressed their commitment to addressing the situation appropriately. They outlined that players not involved in international matches were scheduled to return to training on Monday but have reached an agreement with Antony for him to delay his return until further notice to address these allegations.
The club made it clear that they condemn all acts of violence and abuse, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding everyone involved in this matter. They also acknowledged the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse, showing their commitment to handling the situation sensitively.
Antony himself has stated, “I have agreed with Manchester United to take a period of absence while I address the allegations made against me. This was a mutual decision to avoid distraction to my teammates and unnecessary controversy for the club. I want to reiterate my innocence of the things I have been accused of, and I will fully cooperate with the police to help them reach the truth. I look forward to returning to play as soon as possible.”
These accusations include an incident where Rayssa de Freitas reportedly required hospital treatment after an alleged assault by Antony and another individual in May of the previous year. Ms. De Freitas reportedly reported the incident to the Sao Paulo Civil Police. Additionally, Ingrid Lana has claimed in a Brazilian TV interview that Antony pressured her to have sexual relations while on a business trip to England last year. Ms. Lana alleges that Antony invited her to his house and forcibly pushed her against a wall, resulting in her hitting her head.
