Antony Matheus dos Santos, Manchester United winger and Brazilian national team player, has been removed from the squad after his former girlfriend accused him of abuse.
The Brazilian football federation said the 23-year-old was excluded from the team after “facts became public” that “need to be investigated”.
Brazilian news outlet UOL published the allegations made by Antony’s ex-partner on Monday September 4.
The police in Sao Paulo and Greater Manchester are looking into the claims, which the player has denied.
“I can confidently say that the accusations are false and that the evidence already presented and the other evidence that will be presented prove that I am innocent of the accusations made,” Antony said on social media.
Antony is alleged to have assaulted his former girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin “with a headbutt” in a Manchester hotel room on 15 January, causing her to have a cut head which needed medical attention.
She also claims she was hit in the chest, damaging a silicone breast implant, which required corrective surgery.
Antony added in his statement on Monday that his relationship with his former partner was “stormy”, but insisted he “never committed any physical aggression”.
In response to the allegations, Antony posted a statement on social media in which he claimed the “accusations are false.”
It read: “Out of respect for my fans, friends, and family, I feel obliged to speak publicly about the false accusations I have been subjected to.
“From the beginning I have dealt with this issue seriously and respectfully, providing the necessary explanations to the police authority.
“The police inquiry is under judicial secrecy and therefore I cannot make its content public. However, I can affirm with certainty that the accusations are false and the evidence already produced and more to be produced show that I am innocent of the accusations made.”
Daniel Bialski, the lawyer for Antony’s ex-girlfriend, said via Brazil outlet Globo Monday: “The only thing she wants is that, for everything she suffered, he [Antony] be punished.
“I trust a lot in the investigation of the Civil Police and I wait for him to be charged for the crimes he committed.”
Antony played for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar and has scored two goals in 16 games for the national team. He played 84 minutes of Man United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
