AFL DIVERSITY manager Ali Fahour is "deeply ashamed" of his actions after he was reported for striking an opponent in the head while playing for West Preston-Lakeside.
Fahour will face the Northern Football League Tribunal on Wednesday night and plead guilty.
He was involved in a scuffle in the Northern Football League match on Saturday when he allegedly struck Whittlesea opponent Dale Saddington.
A spokesman for Whittlesea said Saddington suffered a concussion as a result and underwent x-rays the following day.
He has been cleared of any structural damage and is on the mend, the club says.
Fahour read a prepared statement at AFL House on Monday afternoon.
"I accepted a two-match suspension on Saturday afternoon, and rang my manager at the AFL, Andrew Dillon, on my way home from the football match," he said.
"I am deeply ashamed of my actions.
"There is no explanation or excuse.
"I accept that at no time is this kind of action acceptable on the football field or anywhere else.
"I will 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 will fully accept the outcomes of the Tribunal.
"I have apologised to Dale and hope that he accepts my apology, and his health is the most important issue.
"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.
"I have spoken with my manager at the AFL, and they will not make comment prior to the hearing on Wednesday night."
Fahour was suspended for three matches earlier this season for striking a Macleod opponent in round three.
The Tribunal hearing will be held at the Northern Football League offices, with a combination of football and legal personnel to sit on the adjudicating panel.
Fahour has been the AFL's diversity manager since 2012 and is responsible for national multicultural and indigenous programs.
He gave a character reference for Richmond defender Bachar Houli during last week's AFL Tribunal hearing.
The AFL said it was aware of the incident.
"The AFL advises that Ali Fahour, head of multicultural and indigenous partnerships and programs, notified the AFL Executive that he was reported for a serious on-field incident while playing in a weekend football match in the Northern Football League," the League said in a statement.
"The AFL respects the role of the NFL Tribunal to handle this matter under its rules and regulations, and it is not appropriate for the AFL to comment in advance of the hearing.
West Preston-Lakeside has been contacted for comment.
