RIO DE JANEIRO: The Brazilian Football Confederation has removed Manchester United winger Antony from the national team squad after learning that he is under investigation for threatening and attacking an ex-partner.

A CBF statement, ahead of two World Cup qualifying ties, said the decision had been taken to protect “”preserve “the victim, the footballer himself” and the squad led by caretaker coach Fernando Dini.

Antony is being investigated by Brazilian police for allegedly having made threats and attacked an ex-partner named as Gabriela Cavallin, according to official sources reported this Monday.

The investigation is being carried out by the 5th Women’s Police Station, which plans to call several witnesses, according to the São Paulo Civil Police in a statement.

Antony published a message on Instagram in which he states that the accusations are “false” and maintains that Cavallin “at every moment, whether in testimony or in an interview, presents a different version of the accusations.

He added: “Therefore, I deny with vehemence the accusations made and say that I remain at the entire disposal of the Brazilian authorities to clarify anything that is necessary.”

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