Footballer jailed for at least eight years for killing referee with single punch

An amateur footballer has been sent to prison for at least eight years in Detroit, Michigan for killing a referee with a single punch.

Bassel Saad was about to be sent off for a second bookable offence by 44-year-old match official John Bieniewicz during a Michigan United Soccer League match last June.

In response to the punishment on the pitch, Saad knocked the referee to the ground with one punch and Bieniewicz died two days later.

According to BBC Sport, while the footballer was being led from the court room, the referee's widow Kristen said: "I would like to serve Mr Saad with the red card that he was entitled to."

Saad pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.