A single knockout punch has ended the professional and playing career of AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour.
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The Northern Football League on Wednesday night handed Fahour a lifetime ban, effective immediately.
After a marathon two-and-a-half hour tribunal hearing, Fahour told waiting media that he would also step down from his role in the AFL.
"On the basis of the seriousness of the charge and the tribunal's sanction, I will be standing down from my position at the AFL," Fahour said. "In this time, I will seek professional help for my behaviour."
"I have played this game for 29 years... it has given me everything.
"I have loved working for the AFL and creating programs that have reached out to communities far and wide."
Fahour received a 14-week ban, exceeding the threshold that would result in a lifetime ban from playing suburban football.
Fahour will be de-registered from the NFL, and any other Australian football competition, for breaching the 16-match threshold due to prior suspensions.
Fahour was charged with striking after knocking an opponent unconscious with an unprovoked punch during a suburban match at the weekend.
Whittlesea footballer Dale Saddington, a 300-game veteran and premiership player, was knocked out after being punched by Fahour during a scuffle in the third quarter in a game against West Preston on Saturday. A ban of nine weeks or more would have led to Fahour being deregistered as a player.
Saddington gave evidence at the NFL tribunal on Wednesday evening before leaving without comment.
NFL chief executive Peter McDougall said the league wanted to take a stand on violence.
"The Northern Football League does not condone any acts of violence on or off the field," he said.
Video footage of the incident shows Fahour approaching the scuffle at speed and appearing to floor an unsuspecting opponent with a right hook to the head.
Fahour, who is the brother of former Australia Post CEO Ahmed Fahour, was immediately red-carded for the incident, which shocked and outraged players and local onlookers.
Mr McDougall said the striking incident came just two weeks after the NFL held its Stop the Coward Punch round.
Social media condemned Fahour, and many believe a single punch of that strength could be fatal. Sections of the Victorian community have been outspoken over the Fahour incident, including champion boxer Danny Green, who has repeatedly told footballing codes that such vicious attacks should never be tolerated.
The AFL is expected to make an announcement on Thursday morning.
Hours before the hearing, fresh footage emerged of an earlier incident which saw Fahour sent from the field. In the footage, Fahour is seen changing direction suddenly and lifting an elbow to hit an unsuspecting opponent off the ball.
An emotional Fahour apologised on Monday and indicated he would plead guilty at the tribunal.
"I'm deeply ashamed of my actions. There is no explanation or excuse," Fahour said.
"I'll face the tribunal on Wednesday and plead guilty and make a formal apology to the Northern Football League, Dale Saddington, the Whittlesea Football Club and my teammates. I'll fully accept the outcomes of the tribunal."
Saddington has previously said he had no memory of how long he was unconscious and says his family was traumatised by the incident.
It's not the first time that Fahour has been involved in an ugly incident in local football. He was charged with misconduct and handed a severe reprimand in 2012 after leaving the field of play to go to the assistance of a relative, who became involved in a brawl among spectators.
Victoria Police have confirmed that they have not laid any charges or commenced any probe into Saturday's incident.