Tragic: Soccer Referee Dies After Being Punched During Game!

During a soccer match in Livonia, Michigan, 44 year old John Bieniewicz was pronounced dead after being punched by Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad. According to witnesses, Bassel was furious over a foul that was called during the second-half of a recreational soccer game. When Bassel did not like the call, he argued with John Bieniewicz who then pulled out a ‘Red” penalty card. As a result of being thrown out the game, Bassel was said to have punched John Bieniewicz and immediately leave the field via his jeep without calling the paramedics for John. This is a very unfortunate situation, John leaves behind a wife and two children ages 9 & 13. It’s sad to see a person lose their life over the anger and senseless act of someone who cannot control their temper. Clearly there aren’t any winners in this case, Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad has been apprehended, his hearing is set for July 10, 2014.

[CNN Excerpt ]

–“John Bieniewicz, 44, died at Detroit Receiving Hospital from injuries suffered in what police said was an unprovoked attack. The blow left the victim unconscious and not breathing on the field, Livonia Police Chief Curtis Caid said.

After the attack, the player fled the field and waved his middle finger at the crowd.

Bieniewicz was in critical condition when he reached the hospital and was pronounced dead Tuesday morning.

John Bieniewicz was a man who lived life to the fullest,” friends wrote on a website dedicated to his memory. “He had a passion for his family, a passion for the kids at Mott Children’s Hospital, and a passion for soccer. John died doing what he loved: Officiating a soccer game.”

The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s office will determine the cause of death, according to Livonia police.

The alleged attacker, Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad, 36, was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. He was being held on $500,000 bail, police said. He pleaded not guilty.

The investigation is ongoing and authorities “anticipate the criminal charges to be modified as a result of Mr. Bieniewicz’s death,” police said.

Defense lawyer Brian Berry expressed his condolences to the family of the referee, but also said all the facts in the case had not come out and that “witness accounts may have been miscategorized.”–

—