Rachel Riley slams Man Utd as police probe Antony over domestic abuse claims

05 September 2023 , 12:21

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TV presenter Rachel Riley is a Manchester United supporter

Manchester United fan and TV presenter Rachel Riley has criticised the club after it emerged police are investigating claims winger Antony attacked an ex-girlfriend.

Gabriela Cavallin alleges Antony, 23, headbutted and punched her in a Manchester hotel room in January following a Premier League game against rivals Manchester City. Cavallin claims to have suffered a cut to her head, a damaged breast implant and cut fingers. The player issued a statement on social media back in June when Cavallin first filed a report to police in Sao Paulo accusing him of "domestic violence, threat and bodily injury". In his statement, Antony denied the allegations and claimed he has been "falsely accused of assault".

Greater Manchester Police are also investigating after Cavallin detailed her allegations in an interview with Brazilian website UOL. A statement from GMP read: "Greater Manchester Police is aware of the allegations made and enquiries remain ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding this report. We will not be commenting any further at this time."

United have so far not commented on the allegations against Antony which come mere days after Mason Greenwood completed a loan move to Getafe. Riley was outspoken against the idea of Greenwood being reintegrated into the first team after he had charges of attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service earlier this year due to "the withdrawal of key witnesses."

United fan Riley wrote on social media in response to the allegations against Antony: "Is anyone doing any due diligence on these players? Heinous stuff described in these accusations."

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Antony is under investigation by Greater Manchester Police (Offside via Getty Images)

Cavallin said of the alleged incident in January: "I don't remember exactly who the fight was about, but it was someone I had already hooked up with years ago. He punched me in the chest and my silicone turned over.

"And then I came to Brazil to operate. I had to change the prosthesis. He said, 'I didn't mean to hurt you, it was accidental, it wasn't a punch, I just pushed you, I just held you against the wall'."

Cavallin also alleged that Antony threw a glass cup at her after United played West Ham, cutting her fingers. The UOL report included images of her alleged injuries as well as screenshots of messages on WhatsApp between Cavallin and an individual she says is Antony.

Matthew Cooper