Lawsuit settled over death of soccer referee

DETROIT (AP) — The family of a Detroit-area soccer referee who was killed by a player’s punch has settled a lawsuit over the death.

The Detroit Free Press says details weren’t disclosed at a court hearing last Friday. Attorney James Acho says the “family is satisfied with the result.”

John Bieniewicz died last summer after Bassel Saad punched him in the head just moments before Saad would have been ejected from a weekend game.

Saad was sentenced to at least eight years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.

Bieniewicz’ wife, Kristen, sued Saad, the manager of his team and the soccer league. She claimed Saad had a bad reputation and should not have been allowed to play.