HAMILTON, Bermuda, CMC – Midfielder Stephen Astwood was dramatically arrested at half-time and led off in handcuffs still in his football strip after scoring twice for Bermuda Hogges in their 4-3 defeat to Real Maryland Monarchs in their United Soccer Leagues Division 2 match on Saturday night in Maryland, United States.
Montgomery County Police did not immediately respond to media requests for comment but Hogges co-owner Paul Scope said: “It was a personal domestic matter and they’ve released him at this stage.”
Astwood was detained overnight and released on Sunday morning.
While his teammates flew home on Sunday morning, 27-year-old Astwood had to return in the evening on a USA3000 flight from Baltimore.
“We missed him in the second half and would have preferred he had played,” said Scope.
“It was sad to lose him as he was on his way to scoring Hogges’ first-ever hat-trick. For the past three years Astwood’s behaviour for this club has been exemplary and we are very supportive of him.”
Hogges’ assistant coach Jack Castle was also escorted from the stadium by a police officer after arguing with the fourth official.
Both sides also had a player sent off – Hogges’ Jared Peniston and Monarchs’ Joe Funicello – after the Bermudian reacted to a head-butt by his opponent.
Although Hogges went 3-2 up after the break through half-time substitute Lloyd Holder, two goals by Jamaican striker Kevin King, who came on in the 52nd minute, sealed the points for the Monarchs in a late twist to an evening of extraordinary drama.
