Boxer Adam Abdallah learns his fate after shattering soccer referee Khodr Yaghi's jaw in 'extreme and cowardly' attack that was caught on video

A boxer has landed behind bars for a brutal assault on a referee at a suburban soccer match that began when the official hit him with a sideline flag.

Adam Abdallah was filmed violently assaulting match official Khodr Yaghi after an April 2023 match at Padstow, in southwest Sydney.

The incident began with a verbal altercation after the match, during which Mr Yaghi hit the boxer in the head with the 40cm flagpole he was holding.

Initially restrained and led away by his friends, Abdallah then returned swinging at the referee, landing a hit that left Mr Yaghi crumpled on the ground.

The 26-year-old then continued the attack, punching and kicking the referee as he lay on the grass trying to defend himself.

Abdallah grabbed a plastic chair to continue the assault but was held back by three men.

Referee Khodr Yaghi (pictured) had his jaw broken in two places and lost four teeth in the attack when he was defenceless on the ground

Mr Yaghi was hospitalised as a result of the incident, losing four teeth and suffering two fractures to his jaw, which required surgery and the insertion of metal plates.

Abdallah pleaded guilty to one count of reckless grievous bodily harm in September and was jailed for at least one year and two months at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Wednesday.

Judge Nicole Noman said Mr Yaghi instigated the violence, but Abdallah then launched into a ‘cowardly’ attack involving multiple blows that landed while the referee was defenceless on the ground.

‘This was an extreme and senseless offence that occurred in public at a sporting game,’ she said.

There was a strong prosecution case against the boxer because portions of the altercation had been filmed by others at the match, Judge Noman added.

‘The footage shows his gusto in punching and kicking the victim,’ she said.

While Abdallah had shown some remorse, he also tried to present himself as the victim and had blamed Mr Yaghi for what happened, Judge Noman said.

‘He said his actions were excessive and inexcusable.’

Abdallah (pictured), an amateur boxer, had pleaded guilty to one count of reckless grievous bodily harm over the assault

Abdallah should not have been at the match given he had been banned months earlier for a separate incident.

The 26-year-old’s lawyers argued that his diagnosed ADHD lay behind the impulsive attack, but Judge Noman rejected that suggestion, noting he previously lived a life free from violence despite having the condition.

Abdallah had admitted he was motivated by anger and a desire to confront the referee, she said.

He also lied to police after his arrest, including claims he could not remember the attack because he was concussed.

There was no medical evidence of any concussion, the judge said.

Abdallah was ordered to remain behind bars for a maximum of two years and three months, expiring on April 24, 2027.

His non-parole period will expire on March 24, 2026.

Before he was led away by the sheriffs, Abdallah hugged family members and supporters, some of whom wiped away tears.