Lang
9/4/19
A brawl during a soccer match in Iowa City has led to a Cedar Rapids man’s arrest.
Iowa City Police were called to the Iowa City Kickers Soccer Park just after noon on August 25th for a fight during an adult soccer match. Both sides began pushing and shoving, and coaches and fans attempted to keep the peace when a referee was unable to do so.
The fight escalated and punches were thrown. One fan who said he was trying to break the fight up was sucker punched, leading to a large loss of blood. The man originally believed his nose was broken, but once at the hospital a doctor determined it was only a contusion.
33-year-old Jose Cruz-Martinez of Oakland Road Northeast claimed through his lawyer that he was also trying to break up the fight until someone brought out a glass bottle. That’s when he says he grabbed his nine-year-old son and left for their own safety. Cruz-Martinez suffered some scratches, but was otherwise unharmed.
Cruz-Martinez has since turned himself in to Iowa City Police. He’s charged with Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a Serious Misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of one year in jail.
It is unknown if more charges are pending in the case,