MANCHESTER United player Antony has insisted he does not fear for his future at the club despite allegations of shocking abuse from his ex Gabriela Cavallin.
The £85million winger spoke to Brazilian network SBT as he faces accusations from the 23-year-old and two other women.
Manchester United faces growing pressure to drop him from the squad but is so far standing by his side.
But Antony said he has no fears about his future with the club, who currently sit 11th in the Premier League.
He said: "It’s something that doesn’t cross my mind."
Gabriela has alleged the Brazilian, also 23, attacked her while she was pregnant and left her fearing for her life while they were in an on-off relationship.
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She has shared pictures showing her bloodied clothes, sliced fingers and a head wound which were allegedly the aftermath of his actions.
Antony has always strongly denied the accusations against him and vowed to clear his name.
He is the subject of police investigations in Brazil and the UK over the claims.
The player has already been axed by the Brazil national team.
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"I never touched her," Antony insisted as he spoke last night on Brazilian TV.
He appeared tearful as he defended himself from the allegations in the lengthy interview.
The player said: "I know that many are massacring me but the truth always comes out."
He admitted the relationship was "turbulent", that he had become "jealous" and there was "verbal violence".
But he once again denied becoming physical.
"I am 100 per cent sure that I have never touched a woman," said Antony.
Antony was dropped from the Brazil squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
And he revealed he was with his mother when he found out he was cut from the team.
He went on: "I dream of returning to the national team and I want to show that Antony is innocent of all this."
United have insisted they are taking the allegations against Antony "seriously" – and said they will not comment further at this stage.
But there remains growing pressure to drop him.
United fan Countdown host Rachel Riley blasted the allegations as "heinous" – and called for the club to take more action on domestic violence.
"Is anyone doing any due diligence on these players?" Riley wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“This time domestic abuse experts need to be involved in the club’s processes.”
David Challen, whose mum Sally killed her violent husband, said: “Man United must drop the player and hand their investigation to an independent body.”
Manchester United recently froze out Mason Greenwood after he saw charges of attempted rape and assault dropped against him.
After facing a backlash as they planned to reintegrate the English striker, he was then sent on loan to Getafe.
Pressure group Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return also weighed in on Antony.
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The group said: “The allegations against Antony are horrific and show that clubs and football authorities need to step their game up in how they respond to these issues.
"There needs to be protocols in place that take decisions out of club hands as we know clubs are incapable of being objective and acting in the wider best interest.”
How you can get help
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
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