(Manchester) Manchester United said on Wednesday they were taking domestic abuse allegations against Brazilian striker Antony “seriously”.
The 23-year-old winger is accused by his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin of threats and psychological and physical violence, facts denied on Monday by the player on social networks.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) suspended him from the Brazilian national team, “to protect the alleged victim, the player, the Brazilian national team and the CBF”, she explained.
Silent until then, his Manchester United club said in a statement on Wednesday “to be aware of the charges made against Antony and note that a police investigation is underway”.
“As a club, we take this matter seriously, taking into account the impact that these allegations, and the consequences that flow from them, will have on the victims of violence,” added Manchester United.
In an interview published by Globo on Monday, Gabriela Cavallin spoke of the threats and violence of which she would have been the victim.
Alleged WhatsApp exchanges were also published by the Brazilian press. In one of the conversations, Antony’s ex-girlfriend asks him to apologize for the “kicking and attacking”. “Sorry,” reads the following message, attributed to Antony.
“I can calmly say that the accusations are false and that the evidence already produced and that which will be produced prove that I am innocent”, pleaded for his part the player.
Antony explained that his relationship with Gabriella Cavallin had been “tumultuous, with verbal insults on both sides” but assured however that he had “never resorted to physical aggression”.
“I am confident that the ongoing police investigations will prove the truth,” he concluded.
