Anti-violence campaigners call for action against footy violence after Ali Fahour’s coward punch

AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour’s coward-punch on a young father during a suburban football game was completely unacceptable, Premier Daniel Andrews says.

AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour. Picture: Michael Klein

AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour’s coward-punch on a young father during a suburban football game was completely unacceptable, Premier Daniel Andrews says.

Anti-violence campaigners have called on the AFL to take a stand against the senior executive after the Herald Sun yesterday published vision of him running towards a melee and striking a sickening blow against an unsuspecting opponent.

Mr Andrews expressed his condemnation of the incident.

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

“Most fair-minded Victorians know there is no place in our game or in our community for that sort of behaviour.”

But he said Fahour’s employment within the AFL was a matter for them.

“That is a matter for the AFL.,” Mr Andrews said.

“I know they take their position in our community very seriously and no doubt they will look at a range of issues.”

Ali Fahour says he was ‘deeply ashamed’ of his one-punch hit on Dale Saddington. Picture: Getty Images

Boxing champion Danny Green has led a chorus of calls for action, but the AFL and its boss, Gillon McLachlan, ­remained silent on last night.

Recent games have been marred by a series of violent on-field incidents that have left players concussed.

Fahour’s victim, Whittlesea player Dale Saddington, suffered concussion and was taken to hospital for scans.

He has threatened to sue Fahour or pursue the laying of assault charges by police.

Saddington said Fahour should be sacked from his role with the AFL.

“It’s no different just because it’s on a footy field. You can’t just go whacking blokes from behind,” he said.

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Punch victim Dale Saddington says he may pursue legal action.

Green, who has met the AFL about coward punches, called on it to act.

And Step Back Think chief executive Anna O’Halloran said violence on the sporting field was “not acceptable’’.

A tearful Fahour, who plays for West Preston Lakeside, will face the Northern Football League tribunal on Wednesday night. He said on Monday he was “deeply ashamed”.

“I understand that my actions reflect on my employer, the AFL and the programs that I oversee.

“There is no explanation or excuse,” Fahour said.

“I accept that at no time is this kind of action acceptable on the football field or anywhere else,” Fahour said.

Fahour phoned AFL executive Andrew Dillon after Saturday’s match.

He said he’d “apologised to Dale and hope that he accepts my apology and his health is the most important issue’’.

Green said: “It will be interesting to see what they (the AFL) do, because it’s a very delicate situation for them.

“But it would appear like a black and white situation, and I would be very surprised if they don’t take this very seriously, because all eyes are on them and how they react to this.

“It was the exact thing I’m campaigning against,’’ Green said. “The bloke didn’t see it coming in the end and it didn’t need to happen.”

Ali Fahour marks during an NFL football match between West Preston-Lakeside and Heidelberg in April. Picture: Mark Dadswell

The punch was captured on camera.

Ms O’Halloran said: “Everyone should be able to enjoy the footy in a safe environment. Whether it’s amateur or professional footy, violence is not part of the game and it should not be tolerated.’’

Fahour’s playing future is in doubt. Any local player who accumulates 16 weeks of suspension is deregistered.

Fahour was suspended for three matches for striking a Macleod opponent in Round 3.

In 2012, he was charged with misconduct after leaving the playing field and tangling with a spectator. He escaped with a severe reprimand and was backed publicly by former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou.

The AFL said it would not comment until after the tribunal hearing.

Fahour gave Bachar Houli a glowing character reference last week at the hearing in which the Tiger received just a two-week suspension for striking Carlton’s Jed Lamb.

But the AFL successfully appealed and the penalty was doubled to four matches.

Fahour’s brother Ahmed, left as Australia Post boss in February soon after his pay of $5.6 million became public.

Australian Football International head Brian Clarke, wants Fahour sacked for his “brazen act of thuggery”.

“(He) has clearly shown he is not capable of meeting the high standards required.”

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