Merseyside Police said: “We can confirm that a 37-year-old man voluntarily attended and was interviewed under caution in relation to an allegation of assault and criminal damage. “The allegation relates to an incident following the Everton v Manchester United football match at Goodison Park on Saturday 9 April. “The matter has been handled under caution. The matter is now closed.” A caution is not a criminal conviction and acts more as a formal warning, which can be used as evidence of bad character if the person goes to court for another crime in the future. To receive a caution, a person must admit an offense and agree to be cautioned. Police launched an investigation after a video emerged online of Ronaldo knocking the young boy’s phone out of his hand as he limped towards the tunnel.
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The fan’s mother previously claimed her son, 14-year-old son Jake Harding, was left “bruised” and “in total shock” by the incident. Speaking to the Liverpool Echo at the time, Sarah Kelly said the teenager was autistic and “really upset” about what happened, adding that it had “completely put him off” going to another game. She also shared a picture of her son’s hand, in which it looked red and bruised. Ms Kelly told Sky News she refused to meet the footballer after one of his representatives called and invited her and Jake to do so. Image: Sarah Kelly says her 14-year-old son Jake Harding was left with bruises and a broken phone “It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult times” After the incident, the Portuguese forward apologized for his “outburst” and invited the fan to attend a match at Old Trafford “as a sign of noble rivalry and sportsmanship”. “It’s never easy to deal with emotions in difficult times like the one we’re facing,” she wrote on Instagram. “However, we must always be respectful, patient and set an example for all young people who love the beautiful game. “I would like to apologize for my outburst and, if possible, I would like to invite this fan to attend a match at Old Trafford as a sign of fair play and sportsmanship.” Ten days after the incident, Ronaldo announced the death of one of his newborn twins, saying it was the “greatest pain any parent can feel”.
