Cayman Islands national football player Michael Martin Cruz has been given a two year suspended sentence after he assaulted referee Ben Whitty during a Cayman Islands Football Association league match on 23 January, 2020.
Cruz, 23, appeared in court Wednesday, 8 Sep, charged with causing grievous bodily harm, stemming from an altercation in which Cruz’s teammate was shown a red card, resulting with Cruz punching Whitty to the ground.
CIFA disciplinary committee described the incident at the time as “inappropriate” and that Cruz “had nothing to do with the initial red card” which footage of the altercation supports.
The former Bodden Town FC player, was initially suspended for 10 years from all action coordinated by CIFA following the incident that left Whitty seeking medical assistance.
However, during his sentencing on Wednesday, Cruz received a two year probation order along with two months of curfew; any violations during that period Cruz will spend six months in prison.
Cay 3 Sports 