Antony claims he was ‘defending’ Manchester United from ‘provocation’ with controversial FA Cup semi-final celebration

Antony has been widely criticised for taunting Coventry (Picture: Getty)

Antony claims he was ‘defending’ Manchester United from ‘provocation’ when he celebrated in front of the Coventry City players after the FA Cup semi-final victory at Wembley.

The Brazilian has attracted widespread criticism after he ran in front of the Coventry players and cupped his ears following the penalty shootout win.

Old Trafford legend Rio Ferdinand called the incident ’embarrassing’ while Graeme Souness says it was not a response befitting of a Manchester United player.

But Antony says his reaction was a ‘natural defence of my club’ and claims he was responding after the United fans inside Wembley were ‘provoked’ by Coventry.

‘Coventry proved why they reached the semi-final,’ he posted on X. ‘We seeked this spot in the final for our fans and we achieved.

‘The way our fans were treated by their player was not nice and I, in the heat of the moment, reacted to the provocations in a natural defence of my club!’

It is unclear how Coventry are alleged to have provoked Manchester United but Erik ten Hag made a similar suggestion when he discussed the incident for the first time at his pre-Sheffield United press conference on Tuesday.

The Brazilian celebrated in front of the Championship players (Picture: Getty)

‘He [Antony] was [provoked] and should not react like this,’ Ten Hag said. ‘You have not seen the provocation, only the reaction, but he should not do it.

‘We should acknowledge the performance of Coventry, coming back at 70 minutes when we dominated the game. The game must be closed, but the comeback from their side was very good.’

While Antony chose to celebrate in front of the Coventry squad, ex-Manchester United captain Harry Maguire immediately approached the Championship players to shake hands.

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The general feeling from the United squad was relief after they threatened to lose to a team sitting 21 places below them in the English football pyramid.

Ten Hag’s side were in complete control when Bruno Fernandes added a third following first-half goals from Scott McTominay and Maguire, but Coventry scored three times in the final 20 minutes to force extra-time.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the extra 30 minutes but Coventry came the closest to snatching a win as they had the ball in the back of the net in the dying seconds only to see the goal ruled out for offside by VAR.

Manchester United then recovered from Casemiro’s missed effort to beat Coventry on penalties and reach back-to-back FA Cup finals, where they will face holders Manchester City.

United’s collapse against Mark Robins’ side was so worrying that it will cost Ten Hag his job at Old Trafford, according to several pundits including Jamie Carragher and Alan Shearer.

But Ten Hag has called the reaction to Manchester United’s semi-final win ’embarrassing’ and a ‘disgrace’.

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