LATEST: Ali Fahour banned, quits AFL job
LATEST: Ali Fahour has quit his AFL job after being banned from playing football for life.
Fahour was given a 14-week suspension for striking an opponent to the head in shocking fashion while playing for West Preston in the Northern Football League at the weekend.
That suspension was enough to activate de-registration.
After the tribunal hearing last night, a clearly shattered Fahour read a statement to reporters in which he said he was stepping aside from his job as the AFL’s diversity manager.
“I have played this game for 29 years,” he said.
“It has given me everything.
“I have loved working with the AFL and running programs that have reached out to communities far away.
“AFL is the greatest game and I am forever grateful for the role it has played in my life.”
He said he would seek professional help for his behaviour.
After his 14 week suspension, Ali Fahour is now banned from playing footy forever. He must quit or be sacked .He can no longer work for AFL.
— NickMcCallum7 (@NickMcCallum7) July 5, 2017
Earlier…
Bachar Houli defendeded Fahour’s character in a passionate social media post.
Houli, who is currently on the sidelines serving a four-match ban for his own striking indiscretion, posted a glowing endorsement on Facebook.
“Ali Fahour made a mistake an error of judgement and knows full well that these actions like mine are not acceptable. 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,” Houli wrote.
“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 (sic) 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!”