Soccer

Antony return given approval after meeting with women's team

Antony’s impending return to training was given the green light following a crucial meeting with Man United’s women’s team… with the winger set to return to Carrington amid allegations he assaulted his former lover

  • Antony will return to training on Saturday despite allegations made against him 
  • Manchester United chiefs held a meeting with the women’s team on Friday 
  • Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here

Antony’s return to Carrington was rubber-stamped following a crucial meeting with Manchester United’s women’s team on Friday.

The Brazilian returned to the UK on Tuesday before being questioned by Greater Manchester Police on Thursday over allegations that he attacked his girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin – which he strongly denies.

But in a bid to ensure the women’s team felt comfortable at his return to the training ground, Mail Sport understands director of football John Murtough and chief communications officer Ellie Norman held a team meeting to explain the club’s reasoning.

Headed up by Norman, who arrived at United last year following four years in Formula One, the meeting went through the background and facts of Antony’s case, while also providing the learnings implemented from the handling of Mason Greenwood’s case.

It is understood players were offered one-to-one meetings if they wanted to discuss it further, but no issues were raised and Marc Skinner’s squad were said to be positive about the explanations provided.

Antony will return to Manchester United training on Saturday following a leave of absence

A meeting was held with the women’s team to ensure they felt comfortable about his return

Director of football John Murtough (right) and the club’s chief communications officer held the meeting to explain the club’s reasoning

Norman has made a strong impression on the women’s team and was critical in getting the message across before Antony returns to Manchester United training on Saturday.

United issued a statement announcing Antony’s return before Erik ten Hag’s press conference on Friday, and the Dutch manager later added: ‘We make the statement so I refer to the statement, everything has been made clear in the statement. No, I don’t think it’s a distraction. We will focus on the games. He will do as well.

‘On Saturday, he will be back in training, so tomorrow. I have to see, but I think, yeah (he’s fit).’

United said in a statement that Antony’s situation ‘will be kept under review pending further developments in the case’.

It read: ‘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.’

Manchester United declined to comment further when approached by Mail Sport. 

Antony’s ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin has alleged Antony attacked her on four occasions

Antony has missed the last four games since the international break to fight the allegations

Antony returned to the UK on Tuesday night after confirming with police in Sao Paulo that he was permitted to leave Brazil, and then voluntarily met with Greater Manchester Police on Thursday.

It’s understood that he was not arrested or detained at the end of the interview, and was allowed to go home without any restrictions.

Antony has missed the last four games since the international break after being dropped by Brazil and put on leave by United to stay in South America to fight the allegations.

He has been accused by his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin that he attacked on four occasions in total, including twice in the UK.

She alleges that the former Ajax winger, who joined United for £82m last year, assaulted her at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Manchester on January 15, damaging one of her breast implants. She also claims that Antony cut her finger to the bone in June when he threw a glass at her.

Another woman, 33-year-old banker Ingrid Lana, has come forward with a similar accusation. A third accuser, Rayssa de Freitas, is understood to have dropped her allegation.

The player made an emotional TV appearance in his homeland earlier this month to deny all the allegations.

Speaking to Brazilian TV channel SBT earlier this month, Antony said: ‘I know the truth and it will come out. I know many are butchering me, but the truth always comes out.

‘I’m 100 per cent sure I’ve never touched a woman, and I’ll come up with the evidence. I have never assaulted and I will never assault. I’m sure I’ve never committed physical violence. I have a mother, a sister, and I would never want this to happen to them.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football, launching with a preview show today and every week this season.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube , Apple Music and Spotify

Your browser does not support iframes.


Source: Read Full Article