A footballer has been jailed for at least eight years after punching to death a referee in a Michigan United Soccer League match in America.
Bassel Saad had already been booked when official John Bieniewicz adjudged him to have committed another foul and prepared to show him a second yellow card. Instead of accepting his punishment, the player reacted by knocking the referee unconscious with a single punch, leaving him lifeless on the pitch.
Bieniewicz, 44, was taken to a Detroit hospital but passed away two days later, resulting in Saad being charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The 37-year-old pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a minimum of eight years in prison and ordered to pay €8700 towards funeral costs by judge Thomas Cameron, who delivered a final damning verdict on Friday.”