Manchester United loanee Antony has been his red card rescinded by La Liga authorities in a major boost for Real Betis as the winger is now available for this weekend’s crucial clash with Real Madrid.
Antony, 25, joined the Spanish side from the Red Devils at the end of the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Head coach Ruben Amorim preferred Amad, Mason Mount, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot as options down the right-hand side of his 3-4-2-1 system ahead of the Brazilian.
A host of clubs across Europe and the Middle East expressed an interest in loaning Antony but Real Betis emerged as the 25-year-old winger’s number one option.
And it has proved a revelatory choice with Antony beginning life with Los Verdiblancos in brilliant fashion, winning a MOTM award on his debut and scoring three times with two assists in just six games in Spain.
Betis manager Manuel Pelligrini, formerly of United’s local rivals Manchester City, has been impressed with his new signing while teammate Isco believes the winger is a “brutal talent“. The United star has even been nominated for Liga’s Player of the Month award such is his fine form.
Antony has attributed “happiness” in his newly adopted home as the reason why his performances have improved so dramatically after dismal back-to-back seasons at Old Trafford, which became more of a Theatre of Nightmares for the winger after his blockbuster move from Ajax in 2022.
However, the 25-year-old almost curtailed this positive momentum in Seville when he received a red card at the end of a 2-1 win for Betis against Getafe, after producing a beautiful assist for Isco.
Antony was sent his marching orders in added-time after a wild tackle on the Getafe defender Juan Iglesias left the referee feeling like there was no choice but an instant dismissal.
But replays showed the Brazilian winger actually tried to avoid contact with the 26-year-old fullback, despite his initial challenge being poor.
Betis chose to appeal the decision after the game with the prospect of Liga and Champions League winners Real Madrid travelling to the Estadio Benito Villamarín this weekend.
And, as Fabrizio Romano reveals, Spain’s football authorities accepted Betis’ claim and have now rescinded Antony’s red card, freeing up the 25-year-old to play against Los Blancos.
🚨🇧🇷 Antony’s red card has been officially cancelled and he will be available to play against Real Madrid.
Decision communicated to Real Betis in the morning. pic.twitter.com/3BMTQp2U19
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 26, 2025
Tweet: “Antony’s red card has been officially cancelled and he will be available to play against Real Madrid. Decision communicated to Real Betis in the morning.”
Real Betis face Madrid at home on Saturday night at 5:30pm with Antony hoping to continue his fantastic form for Los Verdiblancos against the reigning champions.
Featured image Aitor Alcalde via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
