Following assault charges made against him by his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, Manchester United winger Antony has been left off the Brazil team for this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru. They have been refuted by Antony.
The claims were made by Cavallin in an interview with the Brazilian newspaper UOL. In a hotel room in Manchester in January, Antony is accused of headbutting the DJ and social media influencer, leaving her with a cut to the head that required treatment.
The player is also accused of hurling a glass at Cavallin at his Cheshire house, which left her with a nasty cut to the hand as she sought to defend herself. On another occasion, an alleged punch to the chest allegedly damaged a breast implant and required corrective surgery to mend in Brazil. He is also charged with sending her abusive mails frequently. While Cavallin was expecting, another claimed incident occurred in Brazil in the summer of 2022; she later miscarried at 16 weeks.
Police are looking into the allegations in Manchester and Sao Paulo.
According to a statement from the Brazilian football federation (CBF), “the athlete has been withdrawn from the Brazilian team due to the facts that became public this Monday involving Manchester United player Antony, and which need to be investigated, and in order to safeguard the alleged victim, the player, the Brazilian team, and the CBF.”
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal has been added to the Brazil team as a replacement.
Antony claimed he was forced to address the issue of what he called “false accusations” in public.
The 23-year-old made a statement to social media, saying: “I feel compelled to come out publicly about the false claims I have been subjected to out of respect for my fans, friends, and family. I have handled this situation seriously and with respect from the start, giving the police authorities the required clarifications. I am not permitted to make public the details of the police inquiry since it is subject to judicial secrecy.
“However, I can firmly assert that the accusations are untrue and that both the evidence that has already been provided and the additional evidence that will be provided show that I am innocent of the charges that have been brought against me. Despite the difficult nature of my relationship with Gabriela and the verbal abuse that occurred on both ends, I never used physical force against her. She gives a different account of the claims at every turn, whether in testimony or an interview.
“As a result, I’m here to vigorously refute the charges leveled against me and let you know that I’m still available to the Brazilian authorities for any clarification that they may require. I have faith that the police investigations under way will prove my innocence.
The charges have not been addressed by Manchester United. After an internal investigation after his arrest and subsequent allegations of attempted rape, assault causing actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behavior was completed, Mason Greenwood was loaned to Getafe. Prosecutors ultimately decided to drop the charges when key witnesses withdrew, fresh evidence was presented, and the case was no longer likely to result in a conviction. In a court of law, he was not exonerated.
