Manchester United's star striker, Antony, is currently embroiled in a storm of allegations, with two more women stepping forward to accuse him of assault. These new claims follow earlier allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin, which are currently under investigation by both Brazilian authorities and Greater Manchester Police.
Antony's former partner, Cavallin, had previously alleged that the footballer assaulted her multiple times between June 2022 and May of this year. In the wake of her claims, two other women, Rayssa de Freitas and Ingrid Lana, have now come forward with their own accusations against the player.
De Freitas, a student and influencer, filed a complaint against Antony last year, alleging that she required hospital treatment after an encounter with him in Sao Paulo. She claims that the Manchester United player attacked her in his car after they had visited a nightclub in the city. Lana, a banker, has accused Antony of pressuring her into a sexual encounter, during which she claims to have been pushed against a wall, resulting in a head injury.
In a forthcoming televised interview set to air on September 10th, Lana detailed her encounter with Antony, stating, "He tried to have a relationship with me and I didn't want to. He pushed me against the wall and I hit my head. My purpose was just business. Arriving there [at his house] at his invitation, I realised he had ulterior motives."
Antony has publicly denied the allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, expressing trust in the ongoing police investigations to vindicate him. His representatives released a statement emphasizing the player's belief in the seriousness of the police's work and his commitment to cooperating with the authorities.
Manchester United, meanwhile, has been accused of attempting to cover up the allegations against Antony. In response, the club issued an official statement, acknowledging the allegations and noting the ongoing police inquiries. The statement read, "Manchester United acknowledges the allegations made against Antony and notes that the Police are conducting enquiries. Pending further information, the club will be making no further comments."
The club also emphasized its commitment to taking the matter seriously, considering the impact of the allegations and the subsequent media coverage on survivors of abuse.
Amidst the controversy, the Brazil national football team has decided to drop Antony from its roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
Antony, who had previously played for Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax, moved to Manchester United in the summer of 2022 after the club paid Ajax £82 million for his transfer. He signed a five-year contract with the Red Devils and concluded his first season with the team by scoring eight goals in 44 matches across all competitions.
