Updated July 05, 2017 10:01:09

While AFL diversity manager Ali Fahour prepares to face the tribunal for his unprovoked punch during a suburban match at the weekend, fresh footage has emerged of an earlier incident that saw him sent from the field.

In the footage, aired first by Channel Nine, Fahour is seen changing direction suddenly and lifting an elbow to hit an unsuspecting opponent off the ball.

Fahour was sent from the field after the incident — which sparked a scuffle between the two sides — and was subsequently suspended for three matches.

Tonight, Fahour will learn his punishment at the tribunal for knocking an opponent unconscious while playing for West Preston-Lakeside in the Northern Football League on Saturday.

Amid a brawl in the third quarter, Fahour came up behind an opposition player and punched him in the head, knocking him out.

"I'm deeply ashamed of my actions. There is no explanation or excuse," Fahour said in a statement.

"I accept that at no time is this kind of action acceptable on the football field or anywhere else.

"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."

The AFL is under pressure to remove Fahour from his role as the league's diversity manager in the wake of Saturday's incident, though it has not yet made any comment.

Topics: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted July 05, 2017 09:04:00