A further two women have come out to accuse Manchester United star Antony of assault as pressure is mounting on the club to suspend the player.
Following a fresh batch of allegations made by ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin earlier this week, the Man United winger is now being investigated by both Brazilian authorities and Greater Manchester Police and has been subsequently withdrawn by his national team until the case has been resolved.
While Cavallin first made her claims back in June, with Antony insisting his innocence throughout, another two women have now spoken out against the 23-year-old, alleging that they were assaulted by the former Ajax player in the past 12 months or so.
As per various outlets in his home country, Rayssa de Freitas, an influencer and law student, claims she was left injured after being assaulted by Antony and another woman in May 2022. Brazilian newspaper Extra reported that De Freitas went to Sao Paulo Police at the time and even required hospital treatment.
The third woman to speak out is 33-year-old Ingrid Lana, a banker who claimed in a recent television interview with journalist Roberto Cabrini — the same man who spoke with Cavallin on Record TV earlier this year — that she was pressured by Antony to have sex while on a business trip to England last year.
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Lana alleged that Antony invited her to his home and ended up pushing her against a wall which resulted in her banging her head.
“He tried to have a [sexual] relationship with me and I didn’t want to”, she claimed, adding, “He pushed me against the wall and I hit my head. My purpose was just business. Arriving there at his invitation, I realised he had ulterior motives.”
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With three different women now alleging similar inappropriate and often violent behaviour from the Brazil international, United were led to release a statement assuring that they are taking the investigation into consideration but are still being criticised for as yet refusing to suspend him from the squad.
This comes in what has been a terrible few months of publicity for the club, with not only Mason Greenwood‘s long drawn-out controversy having loomed large over Old Trafford but, most recently, the shocking revelation that they invited a convicted paedophile to a women’s game last season.
Man United are yet to release an updated response to the latest claims and have already insisted they will make “no further comments” until the investigation reaches its conclusion, but it’s safe to say they’ll be keen to avoid further damage to their reputation which has taken a beating of late.
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As for Antony, it is understood that he is still denying the allegations levelled against him despite admitting, at least in the case of his former partner Cavallin, that there was “verbal abuse on both sides”.
Nevertheless, the online group Female Fans Against Mason Greenwood’s Return have also expressed their dismay at the club’s failure to act as another member of the squad’s conduct has once again been called into question.
Issuing a lengthy statement on social media, they said the allegations against Antony “are horrific and shows that clubs and football authorities need to step their game up in how they respond to these issues because they’re going to keep happening”, adding that “there need to be protocols in place that take decisions out of club hands…”
Swifter action needs to be taken in cases where those working in football are arrested and charged for crimes of violence and abuse to protect and support both fans and their colleagues within their clubs/the wider football industry. 3/3
— Female Fans Against Greenwood's Return (@FFAGR2023) September 4, 2023
Man United Women lift their first-ever FA Cup as Ella Toone stunner sets game alight
Danny Jones
Manchester United Women have won their first FA Cup in their history following a 4-0 thrashing at the expense of Spurs.
With neither team having ever won the cup before, it was always going to be a historical moment for one of them – we’re just glad it just happened to be the Mancs.
After an up-and-down season in the Women’s Super League, Marc Skinner’s side signed things off with a potentially job-saving piece of silverware following an impressive performance in front of an equally impressive record 76,082-strong Wembley crowd.
It all got started with an absolute stunner for Tyldesley’s very own Ella Toone, netting not only the opener but the club’s first-ever goal in an FA Cup final.
— Adobe Women's FA Cup (@AdobeWFACup) May 12, 2024
From that moment on, the floodgates were well and truly open, as Rachel Williams made up for an earlier miss with the crucial second goal.
Only moments later, fan favourite Lucía García made it three and in fine fashion, pretty much sealing the landmark victory in less than an hour.
It’s also worth noting that the female Devils controlled most of the possession throughout the game and showed what they have been capable of in spells this year.
And then came another for García, with the brace rounding off an absolute rout in the capital. Here was the moment they knew their name was on the trophy:
With a Manchester derby for the men’s team in just a couple of week’s time too, it could be a double and a much-needed one at that.
It’s fair to say Man United as a whole are a club very much still in flux but successfully bringing home silverware is what the fans have been crying out for in the post-Ferguson era.
Will the blokes get the business done on their end? We’ll see soon enough.
Featured Images — Man United Women/FA Cup/BBC Sport
Sport
Manchester City Under 18s win the coveted FA Youth Cup in comfortable fashion
Danny Jones
TheManchester City Under 18s squad have won the prestigious FA Youth Cup in fine fashion after cruising past Leeds United 4-0.
The academy-level competition is one of the most highly revered trophies in the English youth ranks, with some of the greatest teams and legendary footballers having first shone on this stage, including the Class of ’92 as well as players like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Foden and more.
Ben Wilkinson’s promising young side secured the youth title after a comfortable showing at the Etihad Stadium on Friday night, making this the fourth time they have lifted the trophy, the previous times being 1986, 2008 and most recently in 2020.
Here’s the moment the young ‘Cityzens’ drank in their success.
Commenting on the momentous achievement, Academy Director Thomas Kruecken said of the squad and staff: “This is a fantastic achievement for our Academy. The FA Youth Cup is one of our main targets each season, so to have won the trophy for the fourth time in our history really feels special”.
“Ben, his staff and all the players deserve huge credit for the way they have played throughout the competition. It’s been a pleasure to watch them grow and develop together and they’ve produced some outstanding football along the way.
“But this trophy belongs to everyone connected to Man City’s Academy. There are so many people who work tirelessly every single day to ensure the Academy environment is as good as it can be – to give our young players a platform to develop and become the best footballers they can.
“It makes me really proud to see the work our staff do every single day.”
The names on the scoresheet included Justin Oboavwoduo, Stephen Mfuni and Matty Warhurst, who came straight off the bench to grab the fourth and final goal, but this was probably the pick of the bunch from Jaden Heskey, son of former Wigan Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and England striker, Emile:
City are still a fair few short of Manchester United’s record in the competition, having won the tournament 11 times, but with more development and focus on the academy system and club-wide playing principles up and down all age levels ever since Pep Guardiola arrived, this won’t be their last.
Congrats to the youngsters and be sure to remember those names – we’re sure plenty of them will be lighting up leagues soon enough.
You can watch the highlights from Man City’s U18s’ convincing Youth Cup victory down below or watch back the game in full HERE.