Man United under more pressure as Countdown’s Rachel Riley slams their handling of £85m Antony’s domestic abuse investigation after the Mason Greenwood case – and female fans say club are ‘incapable of being objective’
Rachel Riley has called for domestic abuse experts to be involved in Manchester United’s ‘club processes’ after allegations emerged concerning a previous relationship of winger Antony’s.
Riley was also outspoken against the notion of United reintegrating Mason Greenwood into the squad after their own internal investigation was completed, claiming that the club were ‘green-lighting abuse’ with their apparent support for the player.
The Countdown co-host was not alone, though, in her scathing assessment of the club’s handling of this latest incident, with group Female Fans Against Greenwood’s Return (FFAGR) claiming the Red Devils are ‘incapable of being objective’.
The Brazilian international’s ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin claims the 23-year-old threatened her while she was pregnant, damaged her breast implant, cut her finger with a glass and threatened to throw her out of a speeding car.
Antony responded to previous claims in June, denying the allegations, but has been dropped by the Brazil national team this week in order to ‘safeguard the alleged victim’.
Now Riley- a Manchester United fan – has taken to social media in reaction to the allegations against Antony, writing: ‘Is anyone doing any due diligence on these players?
‘Heinous stuff described in these accusations.
‘This time domestic abuse experts need to be involved in the club’s processes.’
Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, called upon the Premier League and FA to take meaningful action.
Simon’s statement read: ‘The world is watching Manchester United to see how one of the biggest clubs responds to these latest reports of domestic abuse. We once again call on the Premier League and FA to take meaningful action as it is clear that these are not incidents they can take in isolation, but part of a pattern of behaviour within a culture that enables footballers to perpetrate violence against women with impunity.’
There has been no action from the club since the allegations surfaced, however they may face some pressure to respond similarly to how they acted in the wake of the initial Greenwood allegations.
The English forward was suspended by the club following his initial arrest for attempted rape and assault in January 2022, with Antony currently unsanctioned.
FFAGR added that decisions on the future of players needs to be taken ‘out of club hands’ in their own statement, which: ‘The allegations against Antony are horrific and shows that clubs and football authorities need to step their game up in how they respond to these issues, because they’re going to keep happening.
‘There need 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 in these cases.
