In a shocking turn of events, Manchester United winger Antony has been excluded from Brazil’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches, following allegations of assault made against him by his ex-girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) issued a statement on Monday, citing the need to “preserve the alleged victim, the player, the Brazil team, and the CBF” as the reason for Antony’s removal.
The 23-year-old footballer, Antony, vehemently denied the allegations of physical assault in a statement posted on his Instagram account. He asserted that he is the “victim of false accusations” and expressed his confidence that the evidence, both existing and forthcoming, would vindicate his innocence.
“I can calmly affirm that the accusations are false, and that evidence already produced and that will be produced will show that I am innocent,” Antony stated in his Instagram post.
The controversy escalated further with the emergence of WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged between Antony and Cavallin, as reported by Brazilian press. In one of the conversations, Cavallin appears to apologize for “kicks and assaults,” to which Antony responds with a simple “sorry.” Additionally, a photograph depicting Cavallin with an apparent head wound has been circulated in the media.
Antony acknowledged that his relationship with Gabriela Cavallin was “tumultuous,” marked by verbal abuse on both sides. However, he vehemently denied ever engaging in physical aggression. He went on to say, “At each moment, she presents a different version of the accusations,” expressing his belief that the ongoing police investigations would ultimately reveal the truth.
As a result of Antony’s removal from the squad, Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has been selected to replace him for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches against Bolivia on September 8 and Peru on September 12. The decision to exclude Antony from the national team marks a significant development in a case that continues to captivate football fans worldwide. The footballing world awaits further developments as both parties await the outcome of the ongoing police investigations.
