Former AFL Diversity Manager pleads guilty over punch at Northern Football League game

The AFL's former Diversity Manager Ali Fahour, has pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury after hitting a player during a suburban football game and knocking him unconscious.

The 35-year-old appeared in the Heidelberg Magistrates Court yesterday (11th October) where two other charges were withdrawn.

The incident during a Northern Football League game in July between West Preston-Lakes and Whittlesea was caught on camera.

In the days following the incident Fahour apologised for his actions and resigned from his position at the AFL.

Fahour's lawyer Dermot Dann QC told the court his client had "made an enormous contribution to the community and has assisted many people in the community".

Lawyers will prepare documents in support of Fahour's character and contributions for a plea hearing in February.

Fahour was handed a 14-week suspension by the NFL for striking Dale Saddington.

He was also automatically deregistered for accumulating more than 16 weeks' of suspensions in his playing career, and banned from playing or officiating for life. 

Image: Ali Fahour in July.

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