Man United star Antony quizzed by cops over claims he assaulted his ex-girlfriend but vows to clear his name
MANCHESTER United star Antony has denied assaulting his ex-girlfriend and vowed to clear his name after being quizzed by cops in Brazil.
He posted a statement to fans on Instagram, three weeks after DJ and influencer Gabriela Cavallin went to cops alleging the £86million forward attacked her in São Paulo and Manchester.
Gabriela accused Antony of assaulting her four times in a complaint to police in São Paulo.
In his statement, Antony explained he remained silent until after giving his statement to cops.
The footballer added he is certain that his innocence will be proven and the damage made to his image "will remain in the past."
He wrote: "To friends, fans, and followers,
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"For your sake, after giving my statement at the police station where the investigation involving my name is being conducted, I would like to speak publicly for the first time since I was falsely accused of assault.
"I remained silent until this moment so that nothing could interfere with the investigative process, but during all these days my family and I suffered in silence.
"Even though I was born and raised in a very underprivileged community, I had never been through a situation similar to this one, in which a false accusation of assault generated a prior and unfair public judgement by some people.
"After the investigation is closed, my innocence will be proven, it being certain that justice will prevail and the damage initially caused to my image will remain in the past.
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"Thank you for the countless messages of support received during this very difficult time."
Officers in the Brazilian city opened a probe for domestic violence, threats and bodily injury, reports Brazil's largest broadcaster .
Gabriela, 23, is said to have handed over pictures of alleged injuries at a police station in the São Paulo earlier this month.
A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report .
She says she dated Brazil World Cup ace Antony, also 23, on and off for two years and lived with him in Amsterdam while he played for Ajax.
She claims the first assault came at a nightclub in São Paulo last July when she was around 17 weeks pregnant with his baby.
Antony allegedly dragged her out by the arm and hair then pushed her into a car after she ended their romance.
Gabriela told cops they got back together soon after and she moved with him to Manchester after his transfer to the Red Devils.
A second alleged attack came at Gabriela's flat in January.
The "jealous" star is alleged to have left her needing surgery to fix displaced silicone boob implants.
Two more alleged assaults followed in England - one witnessed by her friend and Antony's mother.
Gabriela also said Antony threatened her after she returned to Brazil last month.
She has requested "urgent protective measures" against Antony, according to Brazilian media.
A spokesman for Manchester United said the club does not have any comment.
The Sun has also contacted Greater Manchester Police and Sao Paulo police for comment.
The couple's romance was first made public last year.
In July, Gabriela shared on social media that she had suffered a miscarriage.
The baby boy would have have been named Luca Mateo.
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Antony, born in Osasco, in the outskirts of São Paulo, made his big move to Ajax in 2020.
Last year, he was sold to Manchester United and played for the Brazil national team in World Cup in Qatar.
