Patrick Karnezis says Ali Fahour snapped after seeing opponent throw punches into Ahmed Saad

UPDATE: ALI Fahour has stood down from his job as AFL diversity manager after being suspended for 14 weeks, which automatically triggers a life ban.

UPDATE: ALI Fahour has stood down from his job as AFL diversity manager after being suspended for 14 matches.

The AFL diversity manager’s suspension, handed down after a marathon tribunal hearing at Northern Football League’s headquarters, automatically triggered a life ban.

“On the basis of the seriousness of the charge and the tribunal sanction, I’ll be standing down from my position at the AFL,” Fahour said.

“In this time I’ll seek professional help for my behaviours.

“I’ve played this game for 29 years, it has given me everything.

“I have loved working for the AFL and running programs that have reached out to communities far and wide.”

The tribunal handed down its verdict after two-and-a-half-hour-hearing, during which coward-punch victim Dale Saddington forced to give evidence without a club advocate.

Saddington left without talking to media.

BREAKING: Believe Ali Fahour slugged 14 WEEKS after marathon tribunal hearing. AFL will break silence tomorrow.

— Sam Landsberger 🗯 (@SamLandsberger) July 5, 2017

Earlier, the AFL diversity manager did not speak to the large media throng as he entered the league’s Greensborough office.

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A large media contingent gathered outside including television crews from Nine, Ten and ABC plus multiple radio stations on hand.

The hearing started at 6pm.

Earlier today, a teammate of Fahour says the AFL diversity manager snapped when he saw Whittlesea opponent Dale Saddington lay punches into West Preston recruit Ahmed Saad.

Banned Richmond star Bachar Houli has also come out in support of the besieged AFL diversity manager, posting on Facebook.

Ali Fahour arrives at the Northern Football League tribunal. Picture: Getty Images

Former Collingwood and Brisbane player Patrick Karnezis told the Herald Sun it was important the full context of Fahour’s actions were understood before tonight’s Northern Football League tribunal hearing.

“Saady has been targeted all year round, which is normal — that’s what happens in local football in terms of ex-AFL players coming down, so there’s no issue with that,” Karnezis said this morning.

“But at that time he (Saad) was in a head lock and a choker hold by two players and clearly, if you have a look at the footage, he had his hands up and didn’t want to engage in that and he couldn’t really breathe as well.

“The thing that caused it all — and none of us condone what Ali did, it’s not what we stand for ...”

Patrick Karnezis in action for West Preston-Lakeside. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Ahmed Saad has joined Lakeside. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Karnezis said a player “threw a couple of punches to Saady while he was in the choker hold”.

“That’s what happened but you can’t really see that because there’s a few players in front of the footage. That’s the hard thing about it.

“Even before that, you can see Dale Saddington run into the melee.

“And if you look at his previous history he’s been suspended for about the same number of weeks as Ali has (seven matches).

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“Ali saw the couple of punches that were laid into Saady and it was an instinctive sort of reaction, but again we don’t condone it.

“It’s a big mistake that he’s well aware of ... but it shouldn’t eliminate all the good work he’s done.

“It’s not right but it’s got to be looked into prior (to the Fahour punch).

“All I’m sort of saying is that people should be open to what was happening prior to that and the position Ahmed was in when he couldn’t breathe.”

AFL Diversity chief Ali Fahour addressed the media on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Houli posted his support on Facebook after Fahour served as a character reference in his AFL Tribunal appearance after striking Carlton’s Jed Lamb.

While not condoning Fahour’s action, Houli said everybody makes mistakes in life.

“Ali Fahour made a mistake, an error of judgment, and knows full well that these actions like mine are not acceptable,” he said.

“I don’t condone what he did although he is not alone, we have all made mistakes in our life and its about owning it and how you use it to make you a better person.

“Let me tell you something, Ali Fahour is a person of highest character, a person who has done so much for so many people and a person I would trust my life with. His a caring, humble, honest person who I would give anything to.

“Don’t let the people who have unfairly portrayed him or others who don’t know him give you any other perception of a guy with incredible character.

“You will always be my brother no matter what. Stay strong we are with you.”

AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour with Richmond star Bachar Houli. Picture: Michael Klein

Karnezis said Fahour was a highly-respected figure in the community and shouldn’t be defined by one mistake.

“He’s a very likeable character and loveable person,” he said.

“What he has done for this game, in promoting the game, and giving opportunities to people from all walks of life is a credit to him.

“He’s a fantastic person and a family man.

“People do make mistakes but it shouldn’t define who you are.

“But I want to make it clear we don’t condone what he did and Ali doesn’t condone it either, but he’s a very good man.

“Everyone needs to just take a step back and see it for what it is.”