Mother of coward punch victim David Cassai says AFL should sack Ali Fahour over sickening attack

THE mother of David Cassai, who was tragically killed by a coward punch has urged the AFL to sack Ali Fahour, saying his sickening attack reminded her of the hit that left her son dead.

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EXCLUSIVE: The mother of a teen tragically killed by a coward punch has urged the AFL to sack senior executive Ali Fahour over his sickening coward punch during a suburban football game.

Caterina Politi lost her son David Cassai in a one-punch killing and said it was time the AFL got serious about tackling a culture of violence within footy clubs.

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Ms Politi said she felt sick watching Mr Fahour’s coward punch, saying it reminded her of her son’s killer.

“It’s too much to say it’s in the heat of the moment, it’s white line fever — I don't tolerate that, it’s not acceptable,” she said.

Caterina Politi, with daughter Elisa Cassai, is still mourning her son David, who was killed in an unprovoked attack by an 18-year-old stranger in 2012. Picture: Janine Eastgate

David Cassai died after he was punched in Rye on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s a matter of luck he didn’t kill him or leave him more seriously injured.

“It can be a matter of millimetres, the way he fell, where the punch hit.”

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Since her son’s death, Ms Politi has tirelessly campaigned against the dangers of coward punches through her STOP. One Punch Can Kill foundation.

“If the AFL are going to be serious and it’s going to be down the line from professionals to the little tackers, they’ve got to take a bold stand,” Ms Politi said.

“If he has pay with his job, so be it,” she said.

Caterina Politi says Ali Fahour’s coward punch reminded her of the hit that killed her teenage son.

Mr Cassai, 22, was fatally hit in Rye in an unprovoked attack in the early hours of December 31, 2012.

His mother said she had been called to give presentations at footy clubs because of concerns about a culture of violence on and off the field.

“If what we’re doing is not supported by the top level, you know what, I’m wasting my time,” she said.

The AFL is under pressure to sack its diversity manager Ali Fahour after his cowardly attack. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

“We can’t do it by ourselves. We need support from the AFL to set a deterrent to others to not throw a punch on the field.

“They’ve got to come down tough on these people.”

Ms Politi said she was sickened by Mr Fahour’s attack.

“It shouldn’t happen, especially considering the position he holds at the AFL. If anyone should know better it should be him.

“It’s what we’ve been working for since David was killed, to try and make this stop, and change the attitudes and culture. I can only do so much.”