Antony Returns To Manchester United Squad

Manchester United have made Antony eligible for selection again, despite the winger still facing charges of physical assault.

On Thursday, September 28, Antony attended an interview with Manchester Police, where he was questioned for five hours by police officers.

United initially offered Antony a paid leave of absence to cope with the claims levelled against him by his ex-partner, Gabriela Cavallin.

Antony disputes the claims levelled against him and has not been detained or charged in connection with them in the United Kingdom or Brazil, and he continues to assist completely with investigations in both countries.

A statement released by United said: “Since allegations were first made in June, Antony has cooperated with police inquiries in both Brazil and the UK, and he continues to do so.

“As Antony’s employer, Manchester United has decided that he will resume training at Carrington, and be available for selection, while police inquiries proceed.

“This will be kept under review pending further developments in the case.

“As a club, we condemn acts of violence and abuse.

“We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”

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According to sources close to the athlete, he has supplied proof to back up his emphatic denials of the charges against him, including agreeing to hand over his cell phone to authorities.

When the charges surfaced, Antony was pulled from Brazil’s team, and United followed suit, with the 23-year-old missing their last four games.

But United have chosen to bring Antony back into the fold, albeit he will not practice with the squad today and will be unavailable for tomorrow’s Premier League match at Old Trafford against Crystal Palace.

Cavallin, his ex-girlfriend, who will be examined by Greater Manchester Police on Friday, accused Antony of assaulting her “with a headbutt” in a Manchester hotel room on January 15, leaving her with a cut head that required medical attention.

She reportedly claimed Antony hit her in the chest, causing damage to a silicone breast implant that necessitated corrective surgery.

Responding to the allegations on social media, Antony said: “I can calmly state that the accusations are false and that the evidence already produced and the other evidence that will be produced demonstrate that I am innocent of the accusations made.”

In June, he issued a statement claiming that he had been wrongfully accused of domestic abuse by his ex-girlfriend. In June, he was interviewed by authorities in Brazil but was not charged.