THE AFL has strenuously defended its handling of diversity manager Ali Fahour's departure after his off-the-ball punch in the Northern Football League last weekend, saying it would have been disrespectful to act before his striking charge was heard.

Fahour was reported for striking Whittlesea opponent Dale Saddington while playing for West Preston-Lakeside last Saturday, with news of his offence breaking two days later.

The AFL remained silent until Fahour's case was decided on Wednesday night, with the NFL tribunal hitting him with a 14-game ban that took him over the 16-game threshold that triggers a life ban from community football.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said on Thursday he had accepted Fahour's resignation that morning and took issue with critics who had called for the League to act sooner.

"The AFL has worn some criticism for not speaking sooner and for waiting for the Northern Football League Tribunal hearing," McLachlan said.

"I want to make this clear: tribunals are a critical part of our football community and their role at every level must be respected. 

"We ask the volunteers and leaders of our community leagues to commit to sitting on tribunals and making difficult decisions every week, in every league around the country.

"Criticism that the AFL should have spoken before this disrespects the role of those people and processes that keep our game going every weekend."

The AFL chief announced Fahour would be replaced by long-time League administrator Grant Williams on an interim basis until a new diversity manager was appointed.

McLachlan said Fahour's punch on Saddington had made his continued employment at the AFL untenable.

"As soon as I saw it, it was an incident that just can't be tolerated," McLachlan said.

"It was clear that it was an act that we want eradicated from our game."

Fahour pleaded guilty to striking Saddington on Wednesday night.

"On the basis of the seriousness of the charge and the Tribunal sanction, I'll be standing down from my position at the AFL," Fahour said after the NFL tribunal's verdict.

"In this time, I'll seek professional help for my behaviours.

"I've played this game for 29 years, it has given me everything. I have loved working for the AFL and running programs that have reached out to communities far and wide."