For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
Thank you for subscribing!
For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter
We have more newsletters
After being accused of abuse and similar allegations by three different women, Manchester United winger has professed his innocence on Brazilian television.
The former Ajax star – who was brought to Old Trafford last year for £82million – is facing serious accusations of domestic violence from ex-partner Gabriela Cavallin, who has filed a police report in their native Brazil. It was reported in August that the influencer also planned to submit a report in England.
Since those claims first arose in June, two more women – banker Ingrid Lana and law student Rayssa de Freitas – have come forward with similar allegations of assault and being pressured into having sex with the United player. And Antony broke down in tears as he pleaded his case in his first TV appearance addressing the complaints made against him.
"It's something that doesn't cross my mind," said the winger during an appearance on Brazilian show Fofocalizando, when asked about whether he feared for his United future. "I know the truth and it will show up. I know there are a lot of people butchering me, but the truth comes out.
READ MORE: 'Man Utd's vision is pointless if they don't recognise the scale of their madness now'
"United are on top of the whole inquiry. They're following up and they're going to keep up."
In light of two more women coming forward with their own concerning stories, United published a statement acknowledging the allegations made against Antony. The club said they were "taking this matter seriously" and noted the potential negative effect reporting could have on survivors of abuse.
Responding to questions over his recent axing from the Brazil squad for their two World Cup qualifiers, Antony continued: "It was tough, even more so for one thing that I'm sure isn't true.
"I was here with my mum when I heard I was going to be cut. It's not easy. We work to realise a dream, and wearing the national team jersey is a dream I face every day."
The 23-year-old footballer went on to say he was '100% sure he's never [violently] touched a woman' and insisted he'll 'come up with the evidence' to prove his innocence.
"I have never assaulted and I will never assault," he added. "I'm sure I've never committed physical violence. Anyone who has been with me since I was little, when I had nothing, knows my character and how much I sweated to get here.
The new football season is nearly upon us and with 500 live games to watch, as well access to Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL and the NBA across eight dedicated channels, Sky Sports is the only way to watch all the action.
Get Sky Sports from £22 a month
"What I want most is to show the people that this is me. I want to achieve a lot of things. I have many goals and many dreams. I want to show who I really am. I dream of returning to the national team and I want to show that Antony is innocent of all this."
Cavallin has alleged she was mentally and physically abused by Antony over the course of their two-year relationship, during which she's said to have suffered a miscarriage after 16 weeks of pregnancy.
The DJ recently posted pictures of injuries she claimed Antony inflicted upon her, as well as alleged texts from the Premier League player, one of which is said to show him telling her he 'hopes she dies'.
One of the other accusers, De Freitas, said she too was hospitalised after suffering injuries from an alleged encounter with Antony and an unnamed woman in May 2022. Meanwhile, Lana claimed in an interview that she went to Antony's house during a business trip in October 2022 when he allegedly pressured her to have sex and hit her head against a wall after she refused.
- Manchester United FC
- Premier League
Source: Read Full Article