What’s more cowardly I wonder. Punching someone who is both in a headlock and has their back to you?
Or punching someone in the face in the middle of a brawl? Personally, I’d say the former.
Ali Fahour was suspended for 14 matches by his local football league, and as a result will never play competitive Australian rules football again. He has stood down from his position at the AFL, and is thus unemployed and, for the short term, perhaps unemployable.
He has been demonised on the front page of the Herald-Sun two days in a row, with only Jake King and Tyrone Vickery perhaps saving him from a third. His life, whichever way you want to cut it, is in ruins.
It’s a hefty penalty for a few seconds of action in a fight on the footy field, the type of which are commonplace every weekend throughout the country. If you’ve been to a few local footy games, chances are you’ve seen one. If you’ve played for any length of time, you’ve probably been in one.
Some are small. Some are big. They will usually escalate when two teams with ‘history’ meet each other. You’d be surprised how powerful local rivalries can be. Local footballers have long memories. Some have short fuses. It is not in dispute that Fahour is one of those.
The victim of Fahour’s punch, which I’m not calling a king hit even though many are, Dale Saddington, is not unfamiliar with wild acts on the footy field. As we can see on the widely distributed footage, once the scuffle had started, he couldn’t wait to get in there to throw himself around. He’s no stranger to getting suspended himself.
The lack of nuance surrounding the reporting and opinions on the Ali Fahour case has been disquieting, but not surprising.
It’s easy to see the punch, and draw the most simple conclusions. Fahour should be hung, drawn and quartered. Never to play again. Sacked by the AFL.
The question has been posed about whether the level of coverage and hostility directed toward him would be the same if he had a name like Cameron Rose instead of Ali Fahour. It’s a reasonable one to ask.
Consensus seems to be that it is a perfect storm of Fahour’s position at the AFL, the close proximity to the Bachar Houli and Tom Bugg incidents, coupled with the viciousness of the punch. Consensus is that there is no underlying racism at play.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
To the level of coverage, I think I agree. To the level of hostility, I’m not so sure. Either way, it’s a worthy talking point, one that has been simmering away since the booing of Adam Goodes caused him to step away from the game.
It may not be easy to find sympathy for Fahour in a situation like this, but he deserves it. This would be a harrowing time for him. Yes, he brought it on himself. In his mind, he was sticking up for a teammate. In reality, he was sticking up for a teammate. He went beyond the bounds of what is reasonable in doing so.
Is the price he has paid, is paying, and will continue to pay, commensurate with the crime?
What about the victim, I hear you ask. Dale Saddington deserves some sympathy too, and has received it. How much sympathy did the victims of the acts that led to his suspensions get, I wonder.
Fahour has been branded a thug. Saddington as a young father. There is a rabbit hole there.
Football is a game built on aggression and physical contact. It is both expected and demanded. Sometimes it gets out of hand. The aggression spills over. Anyone who has played it at senior level knows this to a mathematical certainty. Anyone who has only watched it should also understand.
Where does the line get drawn? Certainly, it should be before a wild swinging punch to the head. Most definitely, it should be before attacking someone who is defenceless and already in a headlock.
Violence is a well-documented problem among young Australian men, and in fact men of all ages. Ali Fahour is now the poster boy for that problem. The price he’s paid is hefty, and many will argue justified.
Step Back Think is an organisation focussed on the prevention of social violence. There can be no more worthy cause.
Step Back Think can also be applied to our treatment and attitudes toward Ali Fahour. If some of the people who are prone to casual violence in our society have taken in the lessons from this coverage, then good can come of it yet. Hopefully the wider conversation will be meaningful and far reaching.
Cameron Rose will be appearing on the ABC’s 7.30 to discuss the Ali Fahour incident. Tune in at 7:30pm (AEST) on ABC or watch the stream on iView to catch Cam’s appearance!
Paul D
Roar Guru
Haha I remembered you asking this Birdy - he might not have put himself in that sort of position WW but it sounds like he's put himself in the missionary position! http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-14/senior-afl-executives-resign-for-workplace-and-personal-matters/8709266
mdso
Guest
Well said. It doesn't matter if the guy is red, yellow black or green, a one punch hit to head is three strikes and you are out whoever you are.
mdso
Guest
Really if you believe that you believe in the tooth fairy, like James Hird stood down. I don't think so. The AFL were aware this guy had form in thuggery on the field on off it. This time he went a step too far.
mdso
Guest
Football thuggery makes it o.k. No way.
mdso
Guest
Its true Ali has form in this regard. This Saddington incident may not the first time and maybe it won't be the last. But Ali sure as hell is going to remember the circumstances which bought him to this place where he is. Whether he learns from this experience is another matter. Ali is fortunate Saddington has been able to recover from this hit without extensive damage. Many others have not been so fortunate. There is great learning from this incident for all of us.
Jovial Jock
Guest
and take it on the chin!
Jovial Jock
Guest
what you see at junior suburban level can be unbelievable..at grade 6 or 7 level, aggressive parents pacing up and down screaming at umpires and opposition kids..aggressive coaches accusing or abusing the other coaches, screaming aggressive instructions to their 12 year old players, in an almost intimidating bullying manner..its enough to put you off football - at grass roots junior level. its already about win at any cost, not enjoy the sport.
Jovial Jock
Guest
i understand your point, but the police have now charged Fahour..the act was done with absolute intent and malice, it was almost vicious, at a suburban game with families, children around. He then ran on to another opp. player who looked shocked or terrified at what was coming. I also found his initial media remorse somewhat unconvincing, looking into his eyes i felt he was staging for the cameras, fully knowing his culpability-that might be taking it a bridge too far, just a gut feeling. anyway he's done now regardless of our opinions.
Craig
Guest
The only possible explanation for defending Fahour is if you're friends with him. Deserved to be rubbed out of the game for life and that includes any employment related to the game. Hopefully he gets criminal convictions too. Absolute grub. Grubby article too.
Bruce
Guest
That's Bull sh*t cam
Slane
Guest
I reckon that would work 9 times out of 10.
Jack
Guest
Ali's employed position was headline news, even if the act happened on the weekend, also he has a history of aggressive behaviour. Bugg was not as important an individual. race,creed,colour doesn't come into it.
Tom Chester
Guest
So you haven't seen him in photos with the Prime Minister or making addresses at political events .
Mat
Guest
Wow!! This is an incredibly ignorant piece on this incident. The video footage is self explanatory - the victim seems to be engaged in a bit of pulling and pushing only. He might have been trying to break up the melee. This is backed up by the local league judiciary who didn't charge him with anything. Fahour rushes in and seems to be looking for the victim specifically. He ignores another opposition player immediately in front of him and once eyeing the victim lunges forward and coward punches him. I haven't seen or heard any other evidence that goes against this version. The author seems to have just 'made up' a theory for some very strange reason. To then play the race card though - that's an amazingly 'brave' call as they say. His name or race had nothing to do with the actual incident or way it subsequently played out. That truly is picking the very, very lowest hanging fruit.
Bruce
Guest
He was aware of the bloke he was grappling with straight in front, but not the sniper hit from an angle.
GJ
Guest
There seem to be quite a few people who felt that Ali Fahour has been hard done by and shouldn't have lost his position at the AFL. They want to separate what happens in his private life from his professional life. In my mind because of his role and that the incident happened on a football field makes it hard to separate them. Matt Rendall is a completely separate issue. However, Matt Rendall has moved on was picked by Collingwood in another recruiting role. I see no reason why Ali Fahour cannot do the same. And while what Rendall told Misfud and Fahour at their meeting may have been offensive, it was quite possibly true. Considering both of their roles at the time with the AFL the information may have actually been helpful. Not sure what Fahour did on the football was particularly helpful, and with hindsight Fahour might agree.
penguin
Guest
Not lazy and not excusing him at all. Read the second paragraph. The problem is the media and them jumping on it. Its funny that someone comments without reading it at all. And I stand by my comment about News Ltd.
pauld
Guest
The author's virtue signalling is strong in this piece.
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Great reminder GJ. I felt Rendell was very hard done by there. Politics in sport at its worst.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Disappointing how?