Bieniewicz, 44, pictured with his two children, died on Tuesday, July 2.

LIVONIA — An adult soccer game at Mies Park turned tragic on Sunday, June 29 after a Dearborn man allegedly fatally punched a referee.

John Bieniewicz, 44, of Westland, was pronounced dead on Tuesday, July 1, two days after the alleged assault by player Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad, 36, took place during the second half of the game, when Bieniewicz had attempted to eject Saad. 

According to witnesses, Bieniewicz was looking down when Saad struck him, knocking him over and leaving him unconscious on the field. Several bystanders attempted to perform CPR until paramedics arrived. Saad fled the scene with a friend before authorities were notified. 

On Monday, Saad turned himself into the Livonia Police Department after they issued a warrant for his arrest. He was arraigned that same day at the 16th District court on a felony charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and received a $500,000 cash/surety bond.

Reports of the event circulated both locally and nationally, sending shockwaves across communities. Bieniewicz was married and a father of two children, ages 13 and 9. Friends and family described him as a kind family man who was a big soccer and football fan. He was a lead medical assistant in the Pediatric Chronic Dialysis Unit at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. For two decades, he was also as a soccer referee in his spare time. 

“He was a very good man who loved soccer; I am very sad and shocked,” a soccer player familiar with Bieniewicz, told The Arab American News. “He lost his life and now the other guy has to deal with the consequences, all because of a stupid soccer game.” 

Saad, also a father of two, has been playing soccer in Michigan for more than 14 years. Those who know him claim he’s never had violent tendencies while playing the game before. 

Saad’s defense lawyer, Brian Berry, told The Arab American News that while Saad has pleaded not guilty, he’s shattered by the incident and extends his deepest sympathy to Bieniewicz’s family. 

“Although maintaining his innocence, Bassel Saad expressed his deep sympathy for the loss of John Bieniewicz and he extends his deep condolences to his family,” Berry said. “At the arraignment, he plead not guilty and we have every intention of providing Mr. Saad an honest and aggressive defense.” 

Berry, while unable to share details, said that he is still in the process of compiling witness testimonies and that he believes there is more to the story than what has been circulating in the media.

Saad.

“Based on certain witness statements that have not yet been published, it is believed that the facts of this case have been mischaracterized,” Berry said. “Mr. Saad is presumed innocent, unless and until, a fact finder determines differently. As tragic as this event is, we must keep our minds open and listen and wait for all the facts to develop in this case.”

While the event is an isolated incident, the media’s coverage of Saad’s behavior during the game has led many to question whether it is common temperament among  soccer players. 

Soccer has been internationally celebrated for decades, but the sport has always lacked interest and momentum in the U.S., despite its overwhelming presence in the Middle East. This summer however, World Cup fever took the country by storm; and the sport reached an all time high in popularity, with many immigrants and foreigners participating in World Cup festivities. Locally, hookah lounges have been packed with crowds for viewing parties and cars have displayed the flags of countries competing in the tournaments. 

Ned Fawaz, who manages six local soccer team leagues, said the incident is a major setback for the soccer community. He adds that while the sport can be played more agressively in the Middle East,   he expects sportsmanship from his players here and has a zero tolerance violence policy on his teams. 

“It is really sad to see a young Arab American man decide to punish the referee in a way that is immoral and unethical and it should not have happened,” Fawaz said.

“It’s a lesson to be learned by everyone, especially in our community, that you have to obey the law and the rules of the game and you have to listen to the referee and understand that his decision is final,” he said.  

Fawaz added that players should not be partaking in scuffles with referees and coaches, just because they disagree with a call. 

“We do not tolerate any kind of behavior of this type. Punishment is severe for people who pick on the referee or pick on the coaches. It’s unfortunate what has happened. When a player loses control, he gets himself, the team and the sport in trouble.”  

The incident has been debated on social media. While some pointed out the aggressive nature of soccer players in the Middle East, others were quick to add that many popular sports in North America have violent tendencies, including hockey. 

Ali Jawad, co-founder of the Lebanese American Heritage Club (LAHC), said anger issues in sports are common all around and that communities should take measures to launch sport anger management programs.  

“There are forms of violence in soccer in general and it’s been that way since back in the old days,” Jawad said. “People who have anger management issues shouldn’t be playing soccer or sports at all. We should be creating preventive programs for these people, because sports are supposed to be fun and they are supposed to bring people together.” 

Leaders of the local Arab community have contributed to a fund designated to help Bieniewicz’s family cover funeral expenses and move forward with their lives. The LAHC has been collecting donations from community members following Bieniewicz’s death. Their goal is to raise $5,000 and they’re hoping local Muslims will donate as a kind gesture during the holy month of Ramadan, when charity donations are common. 

Friends of Bieniewicz have created the website JohnBieniewiczMemorial.com which links to a GoFundMe site, established to help with funeral and burial expenses and to help Bieniewicz’s children. So far, more 900 people have contributed more than $57,000.

Meanwhile, according to published reports, Saad’s charges could be amended, since he was arraigned before Bieniewicz’s death. Saad holds a green card and a felonious charge could jeopardize his future in the U.S. His preliminary examination is scheduled for July 10 in Wayne County Circuit Court.

At press time, funeral services for Bieniewicz hadn’t been arranged. He is being kept on a ventilator until his organs can be harvested and donated through Gift of Life.