A soccer referee who was attacked by a spectator at a match in Sydney's south-west had four teeth punched out, a court has been told.
Adam Abdallah, 25, has been accused of assaulting 45-year-old referee Khodr Yaghi at Padstow oval after a match between the Greenacre Eagles and the Padstow Hornets on Friday night.
Video of the attack emerged over the weekend showing Mr Yaghi being punched and kicked in the head before witnesses intervened.
Mr Abdallah has been charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray, and was refused bail at Bankstown Local Court.
Prosecutors described it as an "outrageous attack" that had been witnessed by 30 people.
They alleged there had been little to no provocation, other than the referee asking the accused to "please get out of the way".
The court heard Mr Yaghi lost four teeth and suffered a broken jaw in the alleged attack.
On Monday he underwent surgery at Liverpool Hospital.
Mr Yaghi said he will likely have to drink from a straw for the next six weeks after the procedure, and is concerned about a loss of feeling in his lips.
However he said he does not harbour long-term resentment against his alleged attacker.
"I always say, God forgive him," Mr Yaghin said.
"I believe in the system and justice in Australia, I put everything in their hands."
Accused man lost memory of incident, lawyer says
In arguing for his client's release, Mr Abdallah's lawyer Talal Krayem said his client had acted "out of character for a minute of his life".
He also said his client's memory of the incident had been affected because he was hit on the head with a sideline pole, a moment that had not been captured on video.
Mr Krayem said his client could offer a $250,000 surety for his release and was willing to surrender his passport.
Mr Abdallah was supported in court by a large number of friends and relatives, including his pregnant wife.
In denying bail, Magistrate Glen Walsh said he was disinclined to believe the accused did not remember the incident and the evidence instead suggested "someone in full control of his facilities chasing after a man and beat him savagely".
"The very nature of what happens betrays an incapacity to maintain control," he said.
Bankstown District Amateur Football Association said Mr Abdallah was a suspended player and would conduct an investigation into the matter while also cooperating with police.
The matter will return to court in June.
Premier Chris Minns on Sunday said the incident was "troubling".
"Treat referees with some respect, they do a difficult job. Thank God they do it, we would not be able to run any weekend competitions without them," he said.
"Any report suggesting a referee has been assaulted is completely unacceptable."
'Come back stronger and better'
Since he has been in hospital, Mr Yaghi has received calls of support from around the world – including from other referees.
He said he is determined to return to the field as soon as possible, despite concerns about the level of abuse referees continue to face.
"I can't wait to come back and I will do it, I promise you I will do it, I'm gonna have the best recovery and come back," he said.
Mr Yaghi's wife, Fay, told the ABC that soccer was her husband's passion.
"Referees are human just like everybody else … My husband is strong and he won't let this incident put him down."
She said he is grateful for all the support they have received and he does not want any other referee to feel intimidated or scared.
"To all the bullies out there, that go intimidate referees and bully them, and be aggressive behaviour, calm down and understand it's just a game, it's just a sport," she said.
"What example are you sending to the youth?"
