A professional footballer was today granted bail after pleading not guilty to slightly injuring his wife when he allegedly struck her on the head with crutches.

The incident happened at the couple's Swieqi residence on Friday.

Magistrate Antonio Micallef Trigona ordered a ban on the publication of the man's name to protect the victim and their three children aged one, four and six.

He heard how the couple have had a long-standing problem with their marriage and are in the process of seeking help. They had an argument that went out of control.

The court upheld his request for bail on condition that he temporarily leaves the matrimonial home. The man said he would go live with a friend in Żurrieq.

He was ordered not to speak to his wife, stay away from Swieqi and its vicinity and sign the bail book once a week, against a personal guarantee of €1,000. The magistrate also issued a protection order in favour of the woman.

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