Brazilian police have reportedly cleared the Manchester United winger of domestic abuse against his ex-girlfriend.
Antony, 24, was accused by his former partner Gabriela Cavallin of insulting, assaulting and threatening her, prompting Sao Paulo police to launch an investigation.
However, more than a year after the complaint was filed, police have found insufficient evidence of any wrongdoing by Antony and have concluded their investigation, the report said. Globo.com.
Cavallin, who works as a DJ, went public with her claims in May 2023, reporting to Brazilian channel TV Record that she had already suffered abuse from Antony the year before.
“He threw water on me, started kicking me, grabbed me by the hair, punched me in the head and cut me,” Cavallin said.
Antony has been acquitted by Brazilian authorities of assaulting and threatening his ex-girlfriend
Antony was accused of assault and threatening behavior by his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin (pictured)
‘He grabbed me by both arms, threw me on the bed and fell on top of me.
‘Then my silicone prosthesis dislocated. I became so short of breath that it felt like I was going to die.’
Cavallin also claimed that Antonius had held her captive in their home and had not allowed her to leave.
“He broke my suitcase, took my purse, my passport. He broke my cell phone, he wouldn’t let me go,” Cavallin said.
‘I was incarcerated from 10pm to almost 3:30am. I call it a private prison. I just wanted to get out and he said I wouldn’t leave until I cleared everything.
“I think his mother called his physical therapist and asked for help. No one could check it.”
Antony denied any wrongdoing in the allegations, writing on Instagram: ‘After giving my statement at the police station where the investigation into my name is being conducted, I wanted to speak publicly for the first time since I was falsely accused of sexual assault.
‘I kept quiet until then so as not to interfere with the investigation process. But all those days my family and I suffered in silence.
Cavallin made the allegations public on Brazilian television, but insufficient evidence was found against Antony
Antony posted a statement in Portuguese on Instagram denying any wrongdoing
‘Despite being born and raised in a very needy community, I have never experienced a situation like this, where a false accusation of sexual assault resulted in a preliminary and unfair public judgment by some.
‘After the investigation is completed, my innocence will certainly be proven and justice will prevail. The damage that was initially done to my image will be a thing of the past.
“Thank you for the many expressions of support we have received during this difficult time.”
There is also a separate investigation by Greater Manchester Police in the UK after Cavallin claimed Antony assaulted her on four separate occasions, including once in June 2022 when she was pregnant.
Cavallin alleged that the former Ajax winger assaulted her at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Manchester on January 15, 2023, damaging one of her breast implants. She also claims that Antony cut her finger to the bone in June 2023 when he threw a glass at her.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Following the allegations against him in the United Kingdom, Antony was dropped from the Brazil national team and given a period of absence by United in September.
There is an ongoing investigation into Antony’s behaviour in the UK after Cavallin (pictured) accused him of assaulting her on four separate occasions
Last year Antony had a spell away from Man United before returning to Erik ten Hag’s first team
He then went for voluntary questioning with Greater Manchester Police, after which he returned to first-team training at Carrington.
In March, Antony made an emotional TV appearance in his home country, denying all allegations against him.
He told Brazilian TV channel SBT: ‘I know the truth and it will come out. I know that many slaughter me, but the truth always comes out.
“I know 100 percent that I have never touched a woman, and I will provide proof. I have never assaulted anyone and I never will. I know for a fact that I have never used physical violence. I have a mother, a sister, and I would never want this to happen to them.”
More to come…