AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour will keep his job, despite fury at league headquarters over his crude punch in a local match.
A week after giving Richmond's Bachar Houli a reference for his AFL tribunal case, Fahour was caught on video knocking out opponent Dale Saddington.
Fahour was playing for West Preston-Lakeside in the Northern Football League on Saturday when he rushed into a scuffle and punched the Whittlesea defender.
The brother of former Australia Post boss Ahmed Fahour was red carded and faces a lengthy suspension on Wednesday night when he fronts the NFL tribunal.
The AFL will make no comment until after the tribunal hearing, but chief executive Gillon McLachlan and other executives are known to be furious at Fahour.
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He made a tearful apology on Monday at AFL House and will plead guilty at the tribunal.
His statement also alluded to the pressure that the ugly incident puts on his position as AFL head of multicultural & indigenous partnerships & programs.
There were calls on Monday for Fahour to be sacked.
While that will not happen, the AFL is certain to sanction him.
"I am deeply ashamed of my actions. There is no explanation or excuse," he said.
"I understand that my actions reflect on my employer, the AFL and the programs that I oversee.
"The AFL's work in the community are so important and I am extremely sorry that my actions take away from that work."
The timing of the incident is also terrible, given it comes a week after his character reference for Houli.
It was one of several references that helped the Tigers' backman secure a lenient two-game ban at the AFL tribunal.
But the league launched a landmark appeal and Houli's penalty was doubled.
Five years ago, Fahour received a severe reprimand for leaving a local match and becoming involved in an off-field scuffle.
In his statement on Monday, Fahour said he had apologised to Saddington.
"I hope that he accepts my apology and his health is the most important issue," Fahour added.
Saddington said he has no memory of the incident and his family was traumatised.
The tradie added he will be left out of pocket because he has had to take time off work.
The two clubs are said to be discussing potential financial compensation for the 300-game player.
