Rita Panahi: AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour must resign immediately

ALI Fahour must resign immediately. The image-obsessed AFL can’t pretend to be the great moral arbiter and tolerate acts of violence from senior staff members, writes Rita Panahi.

Ali Fahour press conference over footy game punch.

• Fahour: ‘I’m deeply ashamed’
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AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour must resign or be removed from his position at league headquarters.

It is simply not acceptable for the AFL to have among its ranks a senior official who throws a coward punch at an unsuspecting opponent.

It matters little whether the incident took place in the Northern Football League or at a nightclub or outside Box Hill Hospital.

We all know the potentially devastating consequences of that type of thuggery.

This is not the first time that Fahour has been caught up in an ugly scandal.

AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour fronts the media at AFL House. Picture: Michael Klein

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Back in 2012, when employed as the AFL’s multicultural manager, Fahour was charged with misconduct after he left the playing arena to assist a family member who was embroiled in a spectator altercation during a Northern Football League game.

Then AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou made a point of backing his staff member, who is the younger brother of former Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour, a personal friend of Demetriou.

Fahour copped a severe reprimand over the incident but was not suspended.

It was also in 2012 that the AFL backed Fahour and community engagement officer Jason Mifsud and their version of events about a conversation with Adelaide Crows national recruiting manager Matt Rendell.

The “racism row” that ensued left Rendell devastated and jobless.

It’s clear that Fahour is well regarded at AFL House.

It seems incredible that four days after giving a character reference for Bachar Houli he would “king hit” a bloke in an incident that makes the Richmond defender’s strike look like child’s play.

The footy brawl captured on camera.

Whittlesea footballer Dale Saddington was left unconscious by the vicious right hook from Fahour.

Saddington, who did not see the punch coming and can’t remember the incident, is considering legal action and believes Fahour should be sacked by the AFL.

“It’s no different just because it’s on a footy field,” Saddington said.

“You can’t just go whacking blokes from behind.

“I watched the video and I can’t remember it. My wife was right there, she always sits at that end of the ground. She can’t talk about it, she just starts crying every time it’s brought up.

“I’m not too sure when I came to, I just can’t remember.”

Ali Fahour during his press conference.

Dale Saddington says Fahour should have known better. Picture: The Australian/Luis Enrique Ascui

The plasterer has not been able to work since the punch and has called on the AFL to discipline Fahour.

“I’m pretty lucky that I am still here to be honest,” Saddington said.

“You’d think someone in a high up position like that would be trying to lead the way to clean the community up. He should know better.”

Saddington has indicated that he will await the tribunal’s decision before determining whether to pursue police charges against Fahour.

At a press conference this afternoon Fahour said he was “deeply ashamed” and would plead guilty at Wednesday’s tribunal hearing.

“I will fully accept the outcomes of the tribunal,” he said.

Meanwhile, the league has given no indication that Fahour’s position is in jeopardy.

The image-obsessed AFL can’t pretend to be the great moral arbiter and tolerate deliberate acts of violence from senior staff members.

— Rita Panahi is a Herald Sun columnist.

Follow her on Twitter @RitaPanahi or email [e-mail].