Man United’s Antony dropped from Brazil squad after abuse allegations

Antony, the winger for Manchester United, has been omitted from Brazil’s national team roster for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches due to allegations of assault raised by his former girlfriend.

The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) issued a statement explaining that Antony’s exclusion was a precautionary measure aimed at safeguarding the alleged victim, the player himself, the Brazilian national team, and the CBF.

Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus will step in to replace Antony in the squad for the matches against Bolivia on September 8 and Peru on September 12.

In response to the allegations, the 23-year-old Antony took to Instagram on Monday to vehemently deny any physical assault on his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin. He asserted that he is the victim of false accusations and expressed confidence that both existing and forthcoming evidence will prove his innocence.

These allegations emerged following the publication of WhatsApp messages by the Brazilian press, purportedly exchanged between Antony and Cavallin, wherein the player is alleged to have threatened his former partner. In one of these conversations cited by local media, Cavallin mentions the need to apologize for “kicks and assaults,” to which Antony appears to respond with a simple “sorry.”

Additionally, there is a photograph showing Cavallin with what appears to be a head injury. Antony acknowledged in his Instagram statement that his relationship with Cavallin was tumultuous and characterized by verbal abuse from both parties.

However he denied assaulting her. “I never practiced physical aggression,” he said.