Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag claims Antony was "provoked" during the penalty shootout win over Coventry City.
Antony celebrated United's FA Cup semi-final success by turning to the Coventry players and cupping his ears whereas Harry Maguire sportingly shook hands with the Championship players.
United supporters have been among the punters to pillory Antony over his conduct and while Ten Hag admitted Antony should not have made the gesture, it was an act of retaliation.
"Did you see the reaction of Harry Maguire?" Ten Hag demanded. "He (Antony) was provocated, that's why this was a reaction of that, you haven't seen the provocation only the reaction. But he should not do it.
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"I have seen Harry Maguire straight after and others. We should acknowledge the performance of Coventry coming to that final and then to come back. We are 70 minutes totally dominating the game by far and creating many chances. At 3-0, it must have been the game is closed but the return from their side was very good."
Ten Hag also accused Nottingham Forest of showing officials in England a lack of respect over their Twitter post accusing the Video Assistant Referee of bias during their 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Forest were denied three penalties at Goodison Park and referred to VAR Stuart Attwell's apparent allegiance to fellow strugglers Luton Town in a lengthy statement.
"You can't do that," Ten Hag stressed. "You can agree, you can disagree. The handball for (Aaron) Wan-Bissaka (against Coventry) is totally wrong, a mistake but you can't question it.
"So it's not good for the game and the refereeing we should respect them and there is no respect."
