The AFL's diversity manager, Ali Fahour, has been banned from playing or officiating in any future football matches after striking an opposition player in the head over the weekend.

In a brief statement after the Northern Football League tribunal meeting where the sanction was imposed, Fahour said it was "appropriate to stand down from his [AFL] role given the seriousness of the actions".

He also said he would seek professional help for his behaviour.

Fahour was captured on video punching Whittlesea player Dale Saddington and knocking him unconscious, during a suburban football match on Saturday.

Fahour has now accumulated a total of 21 match suspensions. ( ABC News )

He was given a 14-week ban for the incident but has now accumulated more than 16 matches' worth of suspensions.

Any player who accumulates a total of 16 weeks of suspensions over his career is automatically deregistered and cannot play in any league, including the AFL and cannot officiate.

Fahour has now been suspended for a total of 21 matches.

The 16-week threshold was introduced by AFL Victoria in 2008 and later nationally.

It is believed Fahour can apply for re-registration.

Fahour, who plays for West Preston-Lakeside in the NFL, was the head of multicultural and Indigenous partnerships and programs at the AFL.

An AFL spokesman said the league would comment on the case after the league's executive meeting on Thursday.

'I'm forever grateful for the role': Fahour

Fahour spoke at the hearing and afterward expressed his love for the game.

"I've played this game for 29 years. It has given me everything," he said.

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

"AFL is the greatest game and I'm forever grateful for the role it has played in my life.

"I want to thank all those who have offered me support over the past 10 years. I won't be making any further comment."

Dale Saddington spoke at the hearing before the Northern Football League. ( AAP: Julian Smith )

Peter McDougal, the CEO of Northern Football League, said the league did not condone any acts of violence on or off the field.

"The league is determined to be a leader in our community by encouraging our clubs and our stakeholders to take a stance when it comes to issues relating to violence," he said.

On Monday, Fahour made a short statement saying he was deeply ashamed of the incident and that he had apologised to Saddington, who was reportedly considering legal action.

He was given a red card by the umpire and sent off the field for the remainder of the match after the incident on Saturday.

He was also suspended for three matches earlier this year for another striking incident.

Fahour was one of several people who provided character references for Bachar Houli at the AFL tribunal last week after the Richmond defender was charged with striking.

Houli was controversially given just two weeks after knocking out Carlton's Jed Lamb thanks to glowing references from media personality Waleed Aly and Fahour.

That punishment was increased to four weeks after the AFL made an appeal — the first of its kind in league history.