Khodr Yaghi, 45, was allegedly attacked after helming a match in the city’s south-west a week ago.
He was left with a shattered jaw and two broken ribs after amateur boxer Adam Abdullah allegedly rushed the field and repeatedly punched him.
Yaghi said despite his injuries, it was worth it if he can make sure it never happens to another referee.
“If I knew from day one I’m gonna be victim to change that game, I will always put my hand up and take it,” he told 9News.
“Honestly, I got nothing against him.
“I just want to move on … and I wish him all the best and that he too learn from that.”
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The father-of-four has a nine-month-long recovery ahead of him and is determined to help change the game while he recovers on the sidelines, telling 9News more than 13,000 referees have been attacked in some way in the last five years.
Rodrigo Martins, president of the Canterbury Referees Association, said the abuse of referees goes all the way to the top.
“It’s not just confined to grassroots, it’s all the way from the national body to local clubs and associations,” he said.
Some changes have already been made following the alleged attack, with the Bankstown Football Association trialling body cameras for all referees at Men’s Premier League games.
For games this weekend, teams will line up and clap for the referees as they walk onto the field, representing a guard of honour as a small gesture towards them.
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