KENDALL, Fla. — A 26-year-old man accused of attacking a referee during a soccer game at Kendall Soccer Park last month was arrested Monday morning, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said the suspect, Juan Cruz Calabrese, surrendered at the agency’s Kendall station and was taken into custody. Jail records show he is facing one count of battery on a sports official.
According to an arrest report, the incident occurred around 8:50 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Kendall Soccer Park, located at 8011 SW 127th Ave.
Investigators said the victim was working as a certified referee when he issued Calabrese a red card for a violent play.
The report states Calabrese then approached the referee and kneed him in the backside before being restrained by a teammate.
The soccer match was being recorded by the event organizer, who provided detectives with video footage of the incident. Detectives said the video confirmed that Calabrese struck the referee.
They said on Sept. 17, the victim went to the MDSO’s Kendall station and identified Calabrese in a photo lineup.
Deputies said the victim also provided a statement confirming that he was wearing his referee uniform and officiating as a certified member of the Florida Soccer Organization at the time of the attack.
As of Monday afternoon, Calabrese was being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center, where his bond was listed as “to be set.”
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
