Former AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour has avoided jail and a conviction after pleading guilty to recklessly causing injury for punching an opposing player in the face last year.
Fahour was playing for West Preston-Lakeside when he coward-punched Whittlesea player Dale Saddington at the suburban Melbourne match in July 2017.
He was suspended by the Northern Football League for 14 games, triggering an automatic life ban, before resigning from his high-ranking AFL position.
On Thursday afternoon, Fahour was handed a two-year community corrections order and fined $5,000.
Fahour (pictured) was suspended by the Northern Football League for 14 games after he coward-punched Whittlesea player Dale Saddington at the Melbourne match in July 2017, triggering an automatic life ban
The high-ranking league employee, who was playing for West Preston-Lakeside at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to the assault and resigned as the AFL’s diversity manager following the incident
Fahour fronted Heidelberg Magistrates Court dressed in a suit and tie to hear his conviction on Thursday.
Whittlesea player Saddington had been planning on retiring at the end of the season but made the decision to quit immediately because of injuries sustained as a result of the punch, the Herald Sun reported.
The father-of-two made a formal complaint to Victoria Police after the hit left him unconscious.
Fahour pleaded guilty to the criminal charge in October but asked the magistrate to spare him a conviction.
A solemn Fahour (pictured) fronted Heidelberg Magistrates Court to hear his conviction dressed in a suit and tie on Thursday
Whittlesea player Saddington had been planning on retiring at the end of the season but made the decision to quit immediately because of injuries sustained as a result of the punch, the Herald Sun reported
Defence counsel Dermot Dann QC said Fahour had made a great contribution to the community in his life.
Fahour said he was ‘ashamed’ of his actions and would seek professional help during an emotional public apology last July.
‘On the basis of the seriousness of the charge and the tribunal sanction, I’ll be standing down from my position at the AFL,’ Fahour told media after the two-and-a-half hour hearing.
Fahour (left and right) pleaded guilty to the criminal charge in October, but asked the magistrate to spare him a conviction
‘In this time I’ll seek professional help for my behaviour.’
Fahour continued his speech to acknowledge his love for the sport he is banned from, and his pride in the work he was able to achieve during his time as diversity manager.
‘I’ve played this game for 29 years, it has given me everything,’ he said.
‘I have loved working for the AFL and running programs that have reached out to communities far and wide.’