Domestic abuse campaigners urge Man United to ditch Antony after claims he assaulted ex-girlfriend
DOMESTIC abuse campaigners urged Manchester United to ditch ace Antony amid allegations he attacked a girlfriend.
The £85million winger was dropped by the Brazil national team after the woman went to cops — but the Premier League club have remained silent.
The latest row comes after United were forced into a U-turn over Mason Greenwood coming back to the first team after charges of attempted rape and assault were dropped.
Countdown star and fan Rachel Riley — who spoke out against the Greenwood situation — said: “Is anyone doing any due diligence on these players?”
“This time domestic abuse experts need to be involved in the club’s processes.”
Antony, 23, is alleged to have attacked then-girlfriend DJ Gabriela Cavallin in a Manchester hotel on January 15 — a day after United beat Man City 2-1.
She said she suffered a head injury and damage to a breast implant.
She also claims he attacked her last June in Brazil while she was pregnant.
Police in Manchester and Sao Paulo are investigating.
United have not commented and campaigners said the club could not be trusted to investigate the claims, as it did with Greenwood.
David Challen, whose mum Sally killed her violent husband, said: “Man United must drop the player and hand their investigation to an independent body.”
Pressure group Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return also posted: “The allegations against Antony are horrific and show that clubs and football authorities need to step their game up in how they respond to these issues.
“There needs to be protocols in place that take decisions out of club hands as we know clubs are incapable of being objective and acting in the wider best interest.”
Antony’s current partner Rosilene Silva was seen taking a suitcase out of his mansion in Hale, Cheshire.
Ms Silva, who gave birth to his child in 2019, has not commented on the allegations.
Antony, who signed from Ajax last year, has denied the claims.
He said: “My relationship with Ms Gabriela was tumultuous, with verbal insults from both sides, but I never committed any physical aggression.”
He played for United on Sunday at Arsenal but Brazil have now dumped him for their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.