Erik ten Hag says Man United took Antony allegations 'very seriously'

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United took allegations against Antony ‘very seriously’ as he speaks on the decision to name the Brazilian on the bench for his side’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray

  • Erik ten Hag has spoken on the decision to include Antony in Man United’s squad
  • They play Galatasaray tonight with Antony on the bench for the European clash 

Erik ten Hag has stated that Manchester United took the allegations made against Antony ‘very seriously’, with the Brazilian winger being named on the bench for the Red Devil’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray. 

The winger has not played for the football club since their 3-1 defeat by Arsenal on September 3 after he allegations were made against him of domestic abuse against three women. 

United placed Antony on a paid leave of absence and he subsequently returned to Brazil to speak with police in Sao Paulo before returning to to the United Kingdom seven days ago where he also spoke to Greater Manchester Police. 

Ahead of the match, the Dutch manager spoke more on the situation, saying to TNT Sports: ‘Of course, our minds were with him and of course the allegations, you think about it, is serious.’ 

‘We took them very serious. So we had a leave of absence to deal with this and he was fully cooperative with police in Brazil and in Manchester and he’s not accused he’s available.’ 

Erik ten Hag has spoken on the decision to include Antony on the bench for Manchester United’s Champions League clash against Galatasaray

Antony (left) was pictured at Old Trafford tonight after he returned to first-team duties last week 

It was the first time he has been named in a Man United Squad since the team’s 3-1 defeat by Arsenal on September 3

Last week, Antony was pictured arriving back at the Red Devils’ training ground with Ten Hag stating that he was ‘in consideration’ for selection for their midweek Champions League tie. 

The winger was also pictured in training for the first time since the allegations were made against him. 

He voluntarily met with Greater Manchester Police on Thursday last week, but was not detained and denies any wrong doing. 

It comes as Ten Hag confirmed he was in ‘consideration’ to play during a press conference on Monday. 

‘Antony will be in consideration,’ said the United boss. ‘Yesterday was his first day back in team training, final training and then we make the decision. So he is under consideration.’

He added: ‘He co-operated fully, it came out he’s not charged, so…’ 

United cleared the winger to return to first-team training, with the club informing the women’s team that he would be coming back and releasing a statement claiming that Antony’s situation ‘will be kept under review pending further developments in the case’.

The statement 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.

Antony has been pictured back in training with the squad after he was placed on a leave of absence 

The 23-year-old gave a tearful television interview denying the allegations earlier this month

‘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.’

But his ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin, one of the three women to make the allegations, had also broken her silence on the situation. 

‘Gabriela Cavallin’s attorneys inform that the crimes committed by the player are still being investigated by the Manchester Police and also the Brazilian Police, which is why we believe that he will soon be sent to Court, where he will have to face a trial,’ a press release read.

‘It seems obvious to us that fallacies would be created with the intention that the team bring him back to training.’ 


Source: Read Full Article