Moment of silence for Dutch soccer referee

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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Soccer matches across the Netherlands Saturday began with a moment of silence for a volunteer official who was fatally beaten during a youth match.

Professional games went on as scheduled, with players wearing black armbands following the somber tributes to Richard Nieuwenhuiizen, the BBC said.

The Dutch Football Association canceled about 33,000 amateur contests this weekend out of respect for the linesman.

Nieuwenhuisen, 41, was a volunteer linesman who was officiating a match Dec. 2 featuring his son's junior club team Sunday. He was left in a coma after being attacked by players from the other team and died Dec. 3 in Almere.

Four players, ages 15-16, were arrested and faced potential charges including manslaughter.

A task force of 20 detectives continued investigating the incident and have not ruled out further arrests, Britain's Daily Telegraph said.