A Detroit-area soccer referee, John Bieniewicz, was killed after being punched in the head, authorities and a longtime friend of the man said, according to ABC News.

The referee was attacked on Sunday at a park in Livonia and died at Detroit Receiving hospital, stated hospital spokesman Alton Gunn, Livonia police and Bieniewicz's friend, Jim Acho.

"I speak for all his friends when I say we are devastated. Crushed. Just a senseless way for a great guy to go out. He deserved better," stated Acho.

36-year-old Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad was arraigned on Monday in Livonia District Court with a charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, according to CBS News.

Bond was reportedly set at $500,000 and a probable-cause hearing was set for July 10.

Livonia police Lt. Tom Goralski reportedly said that Saad punched the referee in the head after the referee planned to eject the soccer player from the game.

Bieniewicz had been in critical condition after being taken to a hospital, authorities said.

Saad wasn't at the field when police arrived, but eventually surrendered on Monday.

Acho said a fund is being set up to help pay for the referee's funeral and burial expenses as well as his children's futures. Bieniewicz was a dialysis technician at a children's hospital and was a husband and father to two sons.

Violence has reportedly continued to be an issue in soccer as well as other sports.

The president and founder of NASO, Barry Mano, said his group spends 20 percent of its time on assault and liability-related issues, up from around 3 percent 20 years ago.

"When we're unhappy with sports officials, irrespective if the calls are right or wrong, the idea that we believe that we can go smack somebody because we're unhappy is disturbing," stated Mano.