Football referee dies two days after being punched by player during match

John Bieniewicz was hit as he was about to eject a player from a weekend game in a US park

John Bieniewicz, who was attacked on Sunday at a park in Livonia

A football referee has died two days after being punched in the head by a player. John Bieniewicz, 44, was about to send a player off the pitch during a game at a park in Livonia, near Detroit, Michigan, on Sunday when he was hit and critically injured, police said.
He died in hospital on Tuesday morning.

Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad, 36, has been charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and appeared in court on Monday.

Prosecutors said the charges will be now reviewed and amended following news of Mr Bieniewicz's death, once appropriate confirmations are made and documents received.
Police said several people saw the player throw the punch during the game.

Lawyer Brian Berry, who is representing Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad, said today: "It's a very tragic incident." Berry said he expected a change in the charges and that, based on interviews that have not been published, there are questions about the circumstances.

"When the facts come out, we will learn that this is not a retaliation for being ejected from the game," Berry said. "There are questions as to the causation of Mr Bieniewicz's injuries."
Berry said he was reluctant to comment further before the next court hearing on July 10.