Manchester United has been cautioned by Women’s Aid about the necessity of establishing clear protocols for handling domestic abuse allegations involving football players.
Antony is currently under scrutiny due to accusations of physically assaulting his former partner, Gabriela Cavallin, which has resulted in his exclusion from the Brazil national squad.
The Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that they are investigating claims that Antony assaulted Cavallin in a hotel room and made threats against her life.
Antony has vehemently denied these allegations; however, as a consequence, he has been omitted from the Brazilian national team.
Manchester United has refrained from making an official statement on this matter, and Antony remains eligible for team selection.
The charity has released a statement cautioning prominent football clubs about the ramifications of neglecting to take action when allegations of domestic abuse arise.
“Domestic abuse is prevalent in our society and all employers, including football clubs, need clear policies and procedures about what to do when allegations are made against an employee,” read the statement.
“When the alleged perpetrator is a high-profile footballer, we know from survivors of domestic abuse that it has an impact on both football fans and wider society, who see them playing and celebrating on the pitch as a sign that the allegations are not being taken seriously by the club.
“Safeguarding is vital in these cases, to ensure the safety of everyone involved while proceedings are ongoing.”
Manchester United faced prior scrutiny for their handling of the Mason Greenwood legal case. The club initially announced that Greenwood would depart following a six-month internal inquiry once charges of sexual assault and domestic violence against the striker were dismissed.
However, reports suggest that the club initially intended to reintegrate Greenwood into the team, but they changed their decision in response to substantial fan backlash.
Consequently, the forward has recently finalised a loan move to La Liga outfit Getafe.