Former AFL diversity manager spared conviction over brutal in-game knockout

THE former AFL diversity manager who threw a brutal in-game knockout punch has been spared a criminal conviction after a magistrate considered his previously good character.

FORMER AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour has been spared a criminal conviction for punching another footballer in a suburban game in Melbourne in light of his good character.

Fahour, 34, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury to Whittlesea player Dale Saddington during a game in July.

Fahour was playing for West Preston-Lakeside when he ran up to Mr Saddington during a melee and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

Mr Saddington was knocked out and the contracted Whittlesea player has not returned to the field.

Fahour later resigned as the AFL’s diversity manager over the incident.

Ali Fahour threw a single punch that led to a lifetime ban in July last year.

Fahour faced Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Thursday, where his lawyer urged the court not to impose a criminal conviction.

“It was a split-second decision and he got it horribly wrong,” lawyer Dermot Dann QC said.

Mr Dann said Fahour was an exceptional person who had made a great contribution to the community, and had already been punished with the loss of his AFL job. He spoke of Fahour’s work in coaching indigenous children, introducing members of the Muslim community to football, and organising women’s and diversity programs for the AFL.

“It’s all about equal opportunity,” Mr Dann said.

The magistrate acknowledged this, and found the punch was at odds with the professional profile of Fahour.

“It just sits so uncomfortably with the rest of his character,” magistrate Carolyn Burnside said.

“There are very few people in our community who extend themselves to marginalised groups; to the indigenous community, the Muslim community.”

The magistrate was given a large number of positive character references, including from former Essendon star Adam Ramanauskas, community leaders and the AFL.

Ramanauskus believed Fahour’s actions may have been in part a result of the “build up of tensions” that can occur during a game of competitive football, the court was told.

Fahour said he was deeply sorry to Mr Saddington and his family for the pain and difficulty he caused.

Dale Saddington was punched during a game between West Preston-Lakeside and Whittlesea in Melbourne’s suburban Northern Football League in July. Picture: David Crosling/AAP

“No one should ever have to go to the footy and expect that to happen,” he said in court.

“To Dale’s family, I apologise again, and I hope one day they will accept it.”

But the magistrate said it was important players at all levels were aware of the difference between footballing acts from criminal behaviour on the field. “Increasingly, players need to know there is a line that needs to be drawn,” Ms Burnside said.

“Long gone are the days when what happened on the football field stayed on the football field.

“Young boys and girls ought not be risking life and limb to play this great game.

“It was an unguarded moment when you delivered a thumping blow to a young man,” Ms Burnside said.

“There is no place for this unbridled aggression.”

Fahour in July said he was ashamed of his actions and would seek professional help. He was suspended by the Northern Football League for 14 games over the punch, triggering an automatic life ban.

However, Fahour can apply to the league to have that ban lifted so he can play again.

Ms Burnside made the decision to spare him a criminal conviction after considering Fahour’s good character.

Fahour was given a two-year community corrections order and told to pay $5000 to Disability Sports Australia, as well as take an anger management course.

“You have shown real generosity towards marginalised groups in our community,” Ms Burnside told Fahour.

“You have been a person of integrity and very good character, with a strong reputation for your leadership in the community.

“That is exceptional.”

Originally published as Former AFL diversity manager spared conviction over brutal in-game knockout