Bassel Saad Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Killing Soccer Referee

Bassel Saad, who previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of a soccer referee in Michigan last summer, was sentenced to at least eight years in prison.

The Associated Press (via the Guardian) reports Saad punched John Bieniewicz during a game as the referee was about to eject him. He died two days later, leaving behind a wife and two children. His wife was in court for the sentencing.

"Bieniewicz's wife pulled a red card from her pocket during her remarks in court, although Saad had his back to the gallery and didn't see it," the report stated. "Kris Bieniewicz said the sentence and plea deal were generous. 'It's murder. It will always be murder in my eyes,' she told the judge."

"I hope he's with us, he can hear me. ... I hope one day they forgive me," Saad said in court, according to the report. He will be eligible for parole in eight years with the maximum sentence being 15 years. He could be deported from the country as a result as well.

The report also notes Saad reached the plea agreement last month. He accepted the involuntary manslaughter charge and was forced to pay for Bieniewicz's funeral services. He was originally charged with second-degree murder.

"For better or for worse, you've come to personify all that's wrong with many people's belief about the escalation of violence in sports," Judge Thomas Cameron said.