They may have stepped on a few rakes in the process, but Manchester United managed to ultimately ship Mason Greenwood out of the club. Unfortunately for the Red Devils, there is a new problem brewing with a player still very much in the picture.
Antony has been accused of assault and domestic abuse by his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, who first made the charge back in June. On Monday, Cavallin revealed more details via the Brazilian outlet UOL, including photographs and screenshots of messages.
The forward was quickly dropped by Brazil after being initially called into the country’s roster for World Cup qualifiers.
“Due to the facts that became public this Monday involving Manchester United player Antony, and which need to be investigated, and in order to safeguard the alleged victim, the player, the Brazilian team and the CBF, the organization informs that the athlete has been withdrawn from the Brazilian team,” read a federation statement.
The allegations from Cavallin, which Antony has denied, are serious. They include accusations that Antony attacked her while pregnant with their child, headbutted and punched her, attempted to hit her in the face with a glass bowl, threatened to kill her, and caused damage to her breast implant that required surgery, among other allegations.
In response to Cavallin’s allegations, Antony posted a statement on social media in which he insisted the “accusations are false.”
“My relationship with Ms. Gabriela was tumultuous, with insults [made] on both sides, but never did I commit any act of physical aggression,” the 23-year-old said.
On Wednesday, Manchester United issued a statement light on details, particularly when it came to the most pertinent issue of whether they would allow the Brazilian to keep playing for the club.
“Manchester United acknowledges the allegations made against Antony and notes that the police are conducting enquiries,” the statement read. “Pending further information, the club will be making no further comments.
“As a club we are taking this matter seriously, with consideration of the impact of these allegations and subsequent reporting will have on survivors of abuse.”
Cavallin has filed separate police complaints against Antony in Brazil and in England.
United will be even further under the microscope when it comes to Antony after the club completely mishandled the situation with Greenwood.
Greenwood was arrested and suspended by United in January 2022, after a recording and images were released on social media of an alleged sexual attack. The charges of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behavior eventually were dropped this February after the withdrawal of key witnesses, and new material coming to light.
As revealed by The Athletic, United was planning on bringing Greenwood back for the current season despite protests from fans and some club employees. Ultimately, the public outrage grew too strong, and Greenwood was shipped off on loan to Getafe.
United appeared to be club without a real sense of the world in which it operates. The leaked plan to bring back Greenwood produced an entirely predicable blowback which somehow seemed to catch the club off guard. Ultimately, United made the correct decision, but in a way that left nobody satisfied.
The Greenwood situation will be very much front of mind as another United player faces similarly serious allegations. United now has another unwanted opportunity to do the right thing. Time will tell if the club will take its chance.
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