Michigan Referee's Death Prompts Calls for Tougher Laws [View all]

[HuckleB]

http://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2015/03/12/michigan-referees-death-prompts-calls-for-tougher-laws

"Attacks on Michigan referees so alarmed Jim Dworman, an accomplished lawyer who also officiates high school basketball and football games, that he contacted his lawmaker two years ago about toughening penalties for such actions.

"People just weren't that interested," he said.

Everything changed with a single punch in a men's recreational soccer game near Detroit last summer. Referee John Bieniewicz, 44, was killed by the blow from player Bassel Saad. The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and will be sentenced Friday to up to 15 years in prison.

...

While statistics on the number of attacks on officials is limited, referees nationwide report such incidents are on the rise.

..."


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More on the murder story, specifically...
http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-soccer-referee-murder-20150313-story.html

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This is why I always make it a point to thank the refs before and after games, whether I'm playing or coaching, or my kid is playing.

It's a game, and it's about having fun and getting exercise. If you have to take it beyond that, then you need another hobby.