Devonshire Cougars forward Kamali Davis has expressed remorse for his involvement in a heated confrontation with a spectator during the FA Cup semi-final win over former club Paget Lions at Bernard Park on Sunday.

The 26-year-old has offered a “sincere” apology to the Bermuda Football Association, his team-mates, Paget Community Club and spectators who witnessed the incident.

“I am taking responsibility for my part because I should have never handled it that way,” Davis told The Royal Gazette.

“I could have handled it way better and I just want to send my apology to the BFA, my club, Paget and the spectators that spent their money to come out and watch. After the game, I apologised to my club, my president [Kwame Steede] and we stand on good terms at the moment.”

Tempers initially flared between Davis and the spectator shortly after Cougars took the lead in the 62nd minute and the player had received a yellow card for kicking the ball off the pitch during the celebrations.

The pair had to be kept apart by other spectators and team-mates and, when order was restored, Davis was sent off after receiving a second yellow card — but he claims the incident was sparked by negative remarks aimed at him.

“The fan was saying some negative things I didn’t like and that got to me,” he said.

“We had some words and I said some bad things to him. After the red card, it got worse as we got into an argument, nothing physical, and then I walked off.”

Davis later attempted to return to confront the spectator, but was denied access as security guards intervened.

“After everything had calmed down, one of the security guards was talking to me, but I was still going back and forth with the fans,” he said.

“My coach came to me and said, ‘Listen to me, man, this is on the club’s name now’. When he said that, it hit me and that’s when I caught myself and just walked away.”

Davis denies claims he spat at the spectator and also disputes that he threw a water bottle intentionally at the Paget bench just before the confrontation.

“My team-mates were next to me and they could say that I never spat on anybody,” he said.

“The game was getting ready to start, and I was on the side of the Paget bench and just threw it because you can’t play with a bottle in your hand. I just threw it and how it looked in the heat of the moment, it looked like I had thrown it on them — but it wasn’t the way they perceived it.”

As a result of the incident, Davis said he is deeply hurt by his actions and, notwithstanding any disciplinary action that may come from the BFA, is considering hanging up his boots for the rest of the season.

“That’s where my mindset is,” he said. “It’s just how I am feeling at the moment.

“I love football so my mind might change, but at this moment I am just really hurting over the situation and how I handled everything. I really think I need some time for myself.”

It was also confirmed by the Bermuda Police Service that officers were called to the ground after an earlier incident — not because of Davis’s conduct.

A spokesman confirmed that police were summoned to the ground in response to an incident involving Paget coach Antwan Russell, who was sent off in the first half for venting his frustrations at the fourth official.

“Around 3.45pm on Sunday, March 16, 2025, police officers were dispatched to a report of a disturbance at Bernard Park, Pembroke, where a football match was being played,” the BPS said.

“On arrival, officers met with security staff who identified a male they sought to have escorted from the premises after he allegedly threatened a match official.

“However, following discussions between BFA representatives and the subject, it was decided that he be allowed to remain on the premises.”

The BFA is investigating the incidents that took place at the match, which included Paget goalkeeper Shaquille Bean receiving a red card for allegedly confronting Bahamian referee Evens Julmis after the final whistle.

“The association will review the various incident reports and, if necessary, will take the appropriate actions according to the BFA disciplinary process,” the governing body said.

Cougars face North Village in the FA Cup final at Flora Duffy Stadium on April 20.