Ex-AFL staffer hopes to avoid conviction

A footy field punch has already cost Ali Fahour his high-profile job with the AFL and now he's hoping to avoid a criminal conviction.

The league's former diversity manager pleaded guilty to landing a blow on opposition player Dale Saddington during a game between West Preston-Lakeside and Whittlesea in Melbourne's suburban Northern Football League in July.

The punch reportedly knocked the tradesman unconscious.

At Heidelberg Magistrates Court on Wednesday Fahour, 35, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury.

His lawyer Dermot Dann said Fahour has made an "enormous contribution" to the community and hoped to avoid a conviction.

Charges of assault and intentionally causing injury were withdrawn.

Fahour did not speak to reporters as he left court.

His victim didn't attend court but has said previously he has no memory of the incident, which left him out of pocket because he was forced to take time off work.

Fahour quit his AFL role after receiving a 14-week ban from the NFL over the punch, which was caught on video.

It took his amateur career suspensions beyond the 16-week threshold that triggers deregistration from any league in Australia.

The punch came a week after Fahour gave Richmond's Bachar Houli a reference for his case before the AFL tribunal relating to a mid-season hit on an opposition player.

Fahour's case was adjourned until February 15.