LIVONIA — On Friday, Feb. 20, Bassel Abdul-Amir Saad pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the June 29 death of John Bieniewicz, a referee he fatally punched during a soccer game. Saad, a Dearborn resident, was initially charged with second-degree murder. 

Saad turned himself in to the Livonia Police Department one day after the incident, which took place at Mies Park. 

Bieniewicz, 44, left behind a wife and two children. His widow recently said she hopes Saad “never sees the light of day.” 

Saad, 36, is also a father of two. He is not a U.S. citizen and faced deportation.  Friends and fellow team players previously told The Arab American News Saad has never had a history of violence while playing soccer. He will be sentenced March 13.