The single knockout punch has ended Fahour's playing career and he has stood from his role as AFL diversity manager.
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 the match against West Preston on Saturday.
The Northern Football League on Wednesday night handed Fahour a lifetime ban, effective immediately.
After a marathon two-and-a-half hour tribunal hearing, an emotional Fahour told waiting media that he would also step down from his role in the AFL.
"On the basis of the seriousness of the charge and the tribunal's sanction, I will be standing down from my position at the AFL," Fahour said. "In this time, I will seek professional help for my behaviour."
Fahour received a 14-week ban, exceeding the threshold that triggers a lifetime ban from football.
Saddington gave evidence at the tribunal 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.
Fahour said at a press conference at AFL House on Monday that he had apologised to Saddington and his family and was deeply ashamed of his actions.
Ali Fahour steps down from AFL role after he was rubbed out for 14 weeks
ALI Fahour’s coward punch has cost him both his football and professional careers.
The AFL diversity manager stood down from his job after receiving a lifetime playing ban.
Fahour was whacked with a 14-match suspension, after a two-hour plus tribunal hearing in Greensborough, for the sickening strike that concussed Whittlesea opponent Dale Saddington on Saturday.
It took Fahour five games over the 16-match threshold — and he was automatically deregistered and banned for life under AFL Victoria rules.
Thirty minutes after the Northern Football League tribunal delivered its verdict, an emotional Fahour said he would leave the AFL and seek help.
“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.
“In this time I’ll seek professional help for my behaviour.
“I’ve played this game for 29 years. It has given me everything (and) 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.”
Fahour worked as the AFL’s diversity manager, joining the league in 2011.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan will on Thursday break his silence.
Fahour arrived at Northern Football League headquarters at 5.10pm on Wednesday night for the 6pm hearing, which was closed to the media.
It is understood that Fahour argued he was acting in defence of West-Preston Lakeside teammate and ex-St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad.
The former Collingwood and Brisbane Lion said a Whittlesea player “threw a couple of punches to Saady while he was in the choker hold”.
Saddington was called to the hearing to give evidence but did not speak to the media.
Fahour’s 14-match ban for striking followed the three-match suspension he received for striking a Macleod player off the ball in Round 3.
Fahour also received four matches stemming from two separate charges in 2010 and in 2012 he received a severe reprimand for misconduct.
Fahour last week went against advice from his boss at the AFL, Andrew Dillon, and wrote a character reference letter for Richmond’s Bachar Houli for his tribunal case.
Houli on Wednesday returned the favour.
“Ali Fahour made a mistake, an error of judgment, and knows full well that these actions like mine are not acceptable,” Houli wrote in a Facebook post.
“Let me tell you something, Ali Fahour is a person of highest character, a person who has done so much for so many people and a person I would trust my life with.”
NFL chief executive Peter McDougall confirmed Fahour’s playing days were finished.
“Fahour’s career suspension tally now totals 21 matches, and therefore activates the deregistration policy,” McDougall said.
“This means Fahour will be deregistered and will be banned from playing or officiating.”
Ali Fahour: Police investigating former AFL diversity manager over hit at suburban match
Fahour was handed a 14-week suspension from the Northern Football League on Wednesday night for striking Whittlesea player Dale Saddington and knocking him unconscious.
The suspension meant Fahour, who plays for West Preston-Lakes, had accumulated more than 16 weeks worth of bans, meaning he was automatically deregistered and barred from playing or officiating for life.
Ali Fahour arrives for a tribunal hearing in Melbourne.
PHOTO: Ali Fahour stood down from his AFL position after the tribunal hearing. (ABC News)
He announced he was standing down from his role as the head of multicultural and Indigenous partnerships at the AFL.
Police have today confirmed they are investigating the incident.
"We can confirm Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit is investigating an allegation of assault that occurred during a football match at Whittlesea on Saturday, July 1," Victoria Police said in a statement.
"A statement has been obtained from the victim, a 33-year-old Whittlesea man.
"As the investigation is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
The AFL said it would comment on the case after the league's executive meeting today.
On Monday, Fahour said he was deeply ashamed of the incident and had apologised to Saddington.
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