Manchester United winger Antony has agreed to delay his return to the club “to address allegations” of assault made against him.
The 23-year-old was due to return to training with the club on Monday but has mutually agreed to postpone his return until further notice in order to address the allegations against him. Antony has denied all the allegations of assault.
Antony is currently under investigation by Brazilian authorities and Greater Manchester Police following allegations made by his former partner Gabriela Cavallin, who claimed that he assaulted her on separate occasions between June 2022 and May 2023. Additional accusations were also made against him by two other women in the Brazilian media.
In a statement, Manchester United acknowledged the allegations and condemned acts of violence and abuse. The club emphasized the importance of safeguarding all those involved in the situation and recognized the impact of these allegations on survivors of abuse.
Antony issued his own statement, reiterating his innocence and expressing his commitment to cooperating with the police to help determine the truth. He described the decision to delay his return as mutual and aimed at avoiding distractions for his teammates and unnecessary controversy for the club.
The allegations against Antony have led to investigations by both Greater Manchester Police and Sao Paulo Police. While Antony is on leave from the club, the situation continues to be monitored, and Manchester United will review the situation as it develops.
The Brazilian winger had previously labeled the allegations made by Gabriela Cavallin as false and stated that he had never practiced physical aggression. He appeared on Brazilian TV to defend his innocence and express his belief that the truth would ultimately prevail.
Antony, who had been dropped from Brazil’s squad for World Cup qualifiers, had been expected to return to club training. However, the decision to delay his return reflects the seriousness with which both he and Manchester United are treating the allegations and investigations.
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