The soccer referee who received widespread support after his jaw was broken in an on-field fight must wait eight months to contest charges that he assaulted a woman at a northern Sydney pub.
Khodr Ahmad Yaghi, 45, will face a hearing on February 14, accused of assault occasioning bodily harm and reckless grievous bodily harm over the incident at Hornsby's Railway Hotel while working as a bouncer on March 3.
He attended Downing Centre court on Monday sporting a black Adidas tracksuit and beanie when his hearing date was set, having previously pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The Berala man's jaw was left broken in three places during a local football game in Sydney's southwest 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 Yaghi swinging first, before falling to the ground and being set upon by the 25-year-old Abdallah.
The veteran referee, who has officiated in Sydney for decades, was overwhelmed with support after the original video went viral.
A GoFundMe set up in his name has raised over $16,000 in donations at the time.
NSW Sports Minister Stephen Kamper, a past-president of Sydney Olympic Football Club, presented Yaghi with a football signed by FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura.
"Volunteers and referees are the backbone of our grassroots sports," he wrote on Facebook in May.
"We need to make sure they are respected and safe!"
Clubs across the state held a guard of honour for referees in the round following the incident in solidarity with Yaghi and to call out abuse towards match officials.
He remains on bail.
