A boxer has been sentenced to prison for a violent attack on a referee during a suburban football match in April 2023. Adam Abdallah was caught on camera assaulting referee Khodr Yaghi after an altercation ensued when Yaghi hit Abdallah with a sideline flagpole. Following a heated exchange, Abdallah returned to the scene and began to strike Yaghi, eventually leaving him incapacitated on the ground.
Witnesses reported that Abdallah continued his assault, punching and kicking the defenceless referee. He even attempted to use a plastic chair as a weapon but was restrained by onlookers. The brutal attack resulted in Yaghi needing hospital treatment, where he lost four teeth and sustained two jaw fractures that required surgical intervention.
At the Downing Centre District Court in Sydney, Abdallah pleaded guilty to reckless grievous bodily harm and received a sentence of at least 14 months’ imprisonment. Judge Nicole Noman classified the assault as “cowardly” and highlighted that although Yaghi initiated the exchange, Abdallah’s response was disproportionately violent. The incident was described as a “senseless offence” occurring in a public space during a sporting event, with video evidence strengthening the prosecution’s case.
The judge noted Abdallah had shown some remorse but also attempted to portray himself as a victim, blaming Yaghi for the incident. Abdallah had been banned from attending the match due to a prior incident, which the judge deemed significant. His lawyers argued that his ADHD contributed to his impulsive actions; however, Judge Noman dismissed this claim, pointing out Abdallah’s previous non-violent history despite his diagnosis.
Additionally, the boxer misled authorities after his arrest, claiming a concussion prevented him from recalling the events of the night. The judge remarked there was no medical evidence supporting his concussion claim. Abdallah was ordered to serve a maximum of two years and three months, with a non-parole period ending on March 24, 2026. As he was taken away by court officers, Abdallah shared emotional farewells with family and supporters.