Ali Fahour arrives at the Northern Football League tribunal. Credit:Chris Hopkins "I have 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." He declined to take questions from reporters following his brief statement. 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 all Australian football leagues for breaching the 16-match threshold due to prior suspensions. He was charged with striking after knocking an opponent unconscious with an unprovoked punch during a suburban match. 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. "Fahour's career suspensions tally now totals 21 matches, therefore this now activates the AFL de-registration policy. "This means Fahour will be deregistered and banned from playing and/or officiating." 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, One Punch Can Kill round. 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. Fahour said on Monday he had apologised to Saddington and was deeply ashamed of his actions. He also indicated he would plead guilty at the tribunal. "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. Fahour was one of several people who provided character references for Tigers footballer Bachar Houli at the AFL tribunal last week, after the Richmond defender was charged with striking. Loading

Houli took to social media to defend Fahour ahead of Wednesday's tribunal hearing, saying he was "a person of highest character...who has done so much for so many people". - With Patrick Bartley