A soccer referee whose jaw was broken in a shocking on-field brawl has had the tables turned against him, pleading not guilty to assaulting a woman while working as a bouncer in a northern Sydney pub.
Khodr Yaghi, who appeared at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday sporting a futsal tracksuit, faces charges of assault occasioning bodily harm and reckless grievous bodily harm over the incident at the suburb’s Railway Hotel on March 3.
The 45-year-old reportedly missed his first court appearance in May, as he was undergoing surgery on his jaw. It was left broken in three places while Mr Yaghi was officiating a local football game in Sydney’s south-west on April 28.
His alleged assailant, Adam Abdallah, faces charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray.
The amateur boxer was granted bail on May 31 after a new video emerged, which the prosecution said “changed the narrative” of the incident.
It appeared to show Mr Yaghi swinging first, before falling to the ground and being set upon by the 25-year-old Mr Abdallah.
The veteran referee, who has officiated in Sydney for decades, was overwhelmed with support after the original video went viral.
Mr Yaghi remains on bail ahead of his next hearing, set for June 19 at Downing Centre Local Court.
– AAP
