Ali Fahour: New vision of behind-the-play incident involving AFL diversity manager

EXCLUSIVE: FOOTAGE of another on-field attack by AFL executive Ali Fahour has emerged, showing the diversity manager hitting an unwitting opponent behind play.

• EXCLUSIVE: New footage shows lead up to the explosive Fahour clash

• Fahour must be sacked, says one-punch victim’s mum

SHOCKING vision of another on-field attack by AFL executive Ali Fahour has emerged as the mother of a one-punch victim said the league must act.

New footage shows diversity manager Fahour hitting an unwitting opponent behind play during a West Preston Lakeside and Macleod game in round three this year.

On Monday, the Herald Sun revealed sickening footage of a weekend attack by Fahour on Whittlesea player Dale Saddington during a game.

Fahour is due to face a tribunal hearing on Wednesday night.

Melbourne mum Caterina Politi, whose son, David Cassai, was killed by a single punch, said she felt sick watching footage of last weekend’s incident because it reminded her of what her son’s killer had done.

“It’s a matter of luck he (Fahour) 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,” she said.

There have been widespread calls for the AFL to immediately sack Fahour.

Those who have condemned his act include Premier Dan Andrews, ex-premier Jeff Kennett , and boxer Danny Green .

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan on Tuesday night refused to comment. And AFL Victoria would not disclose Fahour’s full disciplinary record.

ANTI-VIOLENCE CAMPAIGNERS CALL FOR ACTION AFTER FAHOUR COWARD PUNCH

KENNETT SLAMS AFL ‘DOUBLE STANDARDS’

This off-the-ball incident involving Ali Fahour was captured on camera.

Fahour’s football and professional careers could be terminated by a nine-week suspension at Wednesday night’s suburban footy tribunal hearing.

The Herald Sun understands that a nine-match sanction would trigger Fahour’s automatic deregistration from the Northern Football League, and any other Australian rules competition, for breaching the 16-match threshold. The life ban would begin immediately.

The AFL would then have to decide whether it wants a man deemed unsafe to play footy employed at AFL House.

WHY NINE-WEEK BAN WILL END FAHOUR

Fahour has worked as AFL diversity manager since 2011.

AFL Victoria introduced the 16-week threshold in 2008 to weed out “players/officials who could pose an unacceptable risk’’ to others.

The Herald Sun understands:

FAHOUR was suspended for four matches in 2010, from two separate charges.

HE was suspended for three matches for striking a Macleod player in round three this season.

HE received a severe reprimand for misconduct in 2012, when he jumped the fence and tangled with a spectator.

Saddington, who was concussed and ended up in hospital, said he is considering suing Fahour and has urged the AFL to sack him.

Ali Fahour addresses the media over his punch on Whittlesea player Jason Saddington. Picture: AAP

Vision of the punch.

But the AFL’s Patrick Keane would not say if Fahour would face sanctions or be sacked: “It is not appropriate for the AFL to comment before the hearing, and we must respect the tribunal process.”

Melbourne-raised NBA star Andrew Bogut said it was “pretty shocking’’ Fahour was “a repeat offender and they’ve done a good job covering it up’’.

“It’s just contradictory to his role,’’ he said. “People in those positions, in my opinion, should be able to be held to higher (standards).’’

ANDREW BOGUT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE FROM BROKEN LEG, EYES NBA RETURN

CALL TO CLEAN UP HITS IN LOCAL FOOTY

AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said that kind of behaviour should not be tolerated. “Coward’s punches on the field disgust fans and no one wants to see them,’’ he said. “When they do happen you would like to think that whatever league is responsible acts really firmly.’’

Mr Andrews said: “There is no acceptable place on the footy field or off for that sort of conduct,” he said.

He said whether the AFL sacked Fahour — brother of former Australia Post chief executive Ahmed — was a matter for the league.

Green, an anti-coward-punch campaigner, said Fahour’s failure to learn from his first mistake only made matters worse.

Former premier Mr Kennett said: “The trouble with the AFL is when dealing with its own it sets different and lower standards than when it deals with anyone else who has crossed the line.

“I am disappointed that the AFL hasn’t moved quickly on this,’’ he said.

[e-mail]